Ancient World Seminar: Jonas Grethlein (Heidelberg University), ''Fictionality in ancient literature and criticism? Second thoughts on a vexed issue''

The board of CRASIS is happy to announce the first Ancient World Seminar of this academic year. On Thursday 17 September 2020, Prof. dr. Jonas Grethlein (Heidelberg University) will give a lecture on:

'Fictionality in ancient literature and criticism? Second thoughts on a vexed issue'

Due to COVID-19 measures, the Ancient World Seminar's will be held in the tent at the Harmony Building. Pre-registration is required.

For those unable to attend we will offer the possibility to follow the seminar through a livestream. The live stream will be open from 16.00 onward and can be accessed via the following link:

Abstract

Much ink has been spilt on the issue of fictionality in antiquity. A wide range of authors, among them Homer, Aristotle, Theocritus and Chariton, has been credited with the 'invention of fiction'. One of the problems of the debate has been an unclear sense of the definition of fictionality. Taking its cue from recent work on the concept of fictionality in literary theory, the talk revisits both ancient literature and criticism. It will argue that while fictionality had not to be invented, it was sidelined by other ideas. These ideas will not only help us capture a distinct ancient sense of storytelling, but also shed new light on discussions of alternative facts and post-factual politics today.

About the speaker

Jonas Grethlein holds the Chair in Greek Literature at Heidelberg University. His new book 'The Ancient Aesthetics of Deception. The Ethics of Immersion from Gorgias to Heliodorus' is forthcoming from Cambridge UP.

CRASIS Thesis Prize

The second CRASIS Bachelor’s Thesis Prize will be awarded before the lecture.

The AWS will take place from 16.15-18.00. We are happy that we are able to organize the seminar as an in-person event in the tent on the Harmonieplein, and through a livestream on our website. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the lecture can only be attended by staff and students of the University of Groningen and the PThU. You will be able to register and access the livestream above. Here you will be able to indicate if you would like to join the borrel (informal drinks) after the lecture. Please observe the following rules before, during, and after the session:

• Stay at home in case of corona-related complaints and get tested as soon as possible.
• Always maintain a 1.5-metre distance from others
• Wash or disinfect your hands regularly
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow
• Do not shake hands
• Always follow the designated walking routes