Accessibility statement

Since myth permeated nearly every aspect of Greek and Roman life, it is impossible to study the classical world without encountering myths in some form or other. In this module, you’ll study a rich and fascinating range of art, literature, and material objects, looking not just at individual mythical figures and stories but also broader uses of myth in classical Athens, Augustan Rome, and beyond. As well as extending your knowledge of Greek and Roman myth, you'll be able to develop as an independent learner and hone your skills of communicating with both academic and non-specialist audiences.

In this module, you’ll develop an understanding of the key features of Greek and Roman myth by exploring art, literature and objects that take Greek and Roman myth as their subject matter. You’ll do this in three stages: first by studying different versions of specific myths in the ancient world and beyond, then by looking more broadly at the uses of myth in classical Athens and Augustan Rome, and finally by undertaking your own project on a figure from Greek and Roman myth. As you study, you’ll explore versions of myths in a wide range of media, including poetry, drama, prose, painted pottery, paintings and sculpture and be introduced to key academic debates connected with the myths and themes that you’ll study.

Introduction

You’ll begin by thinking about what is meant by ‘myth’ and the functions it performs. By studying different versions of the myth of Andromeda and Perseus, you’ll learn about some of the ways in which myths change, depending on how, when, and by whom they are told.

Block 1: The Myth of Medea

The character of Medea is intriguing and multi-faceted: she was of divine descent, a princess, a sorceress, a priestess, a wronged woman and a child-slayer. You’ll explore the changing ways in which Medea was characterised and represented in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, tracing the myth from its earliest appearance in literary and visual sources in archaic Greece, through Greek and Roman antiquity and beyond.

Block 2: Myth in Classical Athens: Identity, Ideology and Experience

You'll explore how mythological stories were used in one time and place, namely Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries BCE, focusing on two main strands: how the Athenians used myth to express ideas about their society and the world around them, and how they experienced myth in their day-to-day lives. Your studies in this block take in public art and architecture, oratory, history, tragedy and religious beliefs and practices.

Block 3: Myth in Rome and Beyond: Ovid’s "Metamorphoses"

You'll focus on Augustan Rome, exploring the significance and ideological functions of myth in Roman culture and Ovid’s epic poem, the Metamorphoses. As well as considering its relationship to the cultural context in which it was written, you’ll also explore post-classical, including modern, receptions of the Metamorphoses in media ranging from poetry to painting to film, considering how Ovid’s myths link to themes with particular currency in the 21st century.

Block 4: Researching and Communicating Greek and Roman Myth

You'll design your own project on Greek and Roman myth, with the option of either writing an extended essay or, alternatively, curating a ‘one-room exhibition’ (using bespoke software specifically designed for this module). You’ll be guided through the various stages of planning this end-of-module project, such as identifying a topic, locating sources and scholarship, and communicating your findings effectively. You’ll initially work on a detailed plan, which you’ll then develop into your completed project in the final weeks of the module.

This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably at the OU.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

If you would like to do some pre-module reading in preparation, you may enjoy the following:

A350 Set Texts:

Introductory books on Greek and Roman myth:

When you register, you’ll have access to the Arts and Humanities subject site, where you will find information on Introduction to Level 3 Study: A350 Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories for further advice on pre-module reading.

You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.

They’ll help by:

Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.

Course work includes:

You'll be provided with module books and have access to a module website, which includes:

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying A350 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.

Greek and Roman myth: stories and histories starts once a year – in October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2027.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.

Back to previous page