A two day conference, to be held in the School of Classics, University of St Andrews. on 23rd to 24th January 2014. Organised by Dr Samantha Newington (University of Aberdeen) and Dr Sian Lewis (University of St Andrews)
The role of animals in ancient religion is large – as objects of sacrifice, as sacred creatures, incarnations of the gods, instruments of divination or healing, and as metaphors and symbols. This includes living animals, and also imaginary ones, animal/human hybrids and monsters: such anomalous beings challenged and transcended normal categories, allowing people to explore the religious, social and cultural ordering of their world.
This workshop gathers scholars from the fields of Classics, Biblical Studies and Near Eastern Studies, to examine the significance, role and symbolism of sacred animals and monsters in ancient religions. Drawing on archaeology, theology, history and literary studies, we aim to identify links and comparisons between the conception and treatment of sacred animals and monsters in Near Eastern, Jewish, Egyptian and Greek cultures, across a period from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire.
Confirmed speakers:
- Dr Joseph Angel (Yeshiva University, New York)
- Dr Emma Aston (Reading University)
- Dr Michael Beer (University of Exeter)
- Prof Kristin de Troyer (University of St Andrews)
- Dr Matthew Goff (Florida State University)
- Dr Zohar Hadroumi-Allouche (University of Aberdeen)
- Dr Sian Lewis (University of St Andrews)
- Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (University of Edinburgh)
- Ms Fiona Mitchell (University of Bristol)
- Prof Robert Segal (University of Aberdeen)
- Dr Diana Rodriguez Perez (University of Edinburgh)
- Dr Lorenz Winkler-Horocek (Freie Universitat Berlin)
- Dr Ben Wold (Trinity College, Dublin)
The workshop is generously funded by the School of Classics, University of St Andrews and the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, University of Aberdeen. More information, including the full programme, can be found by clicking here.
Booking
Bookings should be made using the online shop.
Registration costs for £15 for the two days, including tea, coffee and lunches.
The conference dinner will be held on 23rd January in a local restaurant; the cost is £26.
Further enquiries to classcon@st-andrews.ac.uk
Bed and breakfast accommodation in the town may be found on theVisitScotland website.