In Greek mythology, the region of Thessaly is home to centaurs, Achilles, Jason, and more. Emma Aston, Professor, Department of Classics, University of Reading, returns to the show to chat about Thessaly appearing in Greek mythology.
Professor Aston was previously on the show in the episode Centaurs in Greek Mythology (July 1, 2021)
Some topics explored
- What Thessaly is, and in Antiquity, what Thessaly was geographically demarcated to
- Different nomenclature of Thessaly in Antiquity
- First attestation of Thessaly in a poem showing up in the seventh century BCE by the Spartan poet Alkman
- Thessaly being divided up into different kingdoms and fiefdoms in (see The Iliad, Book 2, Catalogue of Ships)
- The Greek hero, Achilles, being from the Thessaly region (Hellenes and Myrmidons)
- Thessaly being described, but not by the contemporary name in the Catalogue of Women (early 6th century) which was attributed to Hesiod at one point in time, but consensus is that it’s by another author.
- The poem, Shield of Herakles (attributed to early 6th century BCE)
- Greek deities in mythology that live in Thessaly
- Thessalian coinage from the fifth century BCE depicting mythology and contributing to the identity of Thessaly
- The Greek myth, Jason and the Argonauts and how the works were used by other writers for various purposes
- Thessaly being one of two places in Greek mythology where centaurs live
- Thessalians being famous for their horses and horsemanship
Listen to the episode
The episode can be streamed below and is also available on major podcast apps: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Show Notes
- Professor Aston is author of the monograph Mixanthropoi: Animal-human hybrid Deities in Greek Religion (published as a supplement to the Kernos Journal)
- Emma Aston has a future book coming out on Ancient Thessaly that will be published by Liverpool University Press
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