Dr Gina Salapata and Dr Anastasia Bakogianni, from Massey University's Classical Studies programme.
Myths and tales of Ancient Greece and Rome – as well as its philosophers, poets and mathematicians - have captured people’s imaginations for centuries with sex, violence, dysfunctional families, cruel gods and corrupt politics.
Now, Classical Studies scholars at Massey University have created an online hub to showcase how the Ancient world has inspired New Zealanders working in a variety of media.
They want more artists, writers, musicians, craftspeople and educators influenced by the classical world to come forward to share their ideas and work.
Renowned actor, director and playwright Michael Hurst is among the first to be featured on the new website, Classical World New Zealand. It’s been created by Dr Anastasia Bakogianni, a lecturer in Classical Studies, and will be launched next month at the Australasian Society for Classical Studies 38th Annual Meeting in Wellington.
Greek national Dr Bakogianni, who came to Auckland from Britain last year to lecture in Classical Studies at Massey’s School of Humanities in Albany, says she hopes the website will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Classical Studies and its relevance to New Zealanders.
“Classical World New Zealand [website] demonstrates the modern world’s on-going dialogue with ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt and highlights New Zealand’s contribution to this conversation,” she says. “The culture of the classical world remains a rich vein of creativity tapped by countless living artists. Their art in turn helps us to connect to the ancient world.”
Actor, director and playwright Michael Hurst as Iolaus in the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
Actor Michael Hurst on Greek influences
In an interview with Dr Bakogianni, Michael Hurst – who has studied Classical Studies through Massey University’s School of Humanities – describes his love of the literature and drama of the Ancient World as a cornerstone of his career, and of his work involved in adapting Greek plays for the New Zealand stage.
Hurst is best known as Iolaus from the television series Hercules, in The Legendary Journeys (1995-99) and its sequel Xena Warrior Princess (1995-2001).
On the rise in popularity of Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian stories depicted in “sword and sandal” sagas in film and television, he says; “we have a desire for heroes as well as a need to see real human conflicts portrayed against an exotic background of gods and monsters. We see ourselves in the kings, queens, priests, priestesses, villains and heroes of these myths, these tales of great figures stalking the past.”
Interviews with filmmaker Vicky Yiannoutsos and artist Raemon Rolfe are featured, with more to be added under music, literature and visual arts headings. The website will offer an accessible, useful and up-to-date resource to students of Classical Studies throughout New Zealand schools and universities, as well as to anyone with an interest in the topic. It will house news on cultural events, resources and scholarship on the Ancient World.
Ancient stories belong to the world
Dr Bakogianni says the critical study of classical texts is relevant to many fields – journalism, the arts, (including art gallery or museum management and curation), law, politics, policy-making and diplomacy.
It’s no surprise that in her homeland, Greece, knowledge of ancient myths and legends is common to all. “When you go to school in Greece, the Ancient World extends right throughout your education.”
She grew up Athens "in the shadow of the Acropolis”. Like many Greek children, she has fond memories of her father reading her the myths and stories of Ancient Greece.
“I believe the Classical Greek and Roman myths and legends are truly global, and that they belong to the world, not just Greece,” Dr Bakogianni says.
She says most of the stories translate into modern contexts because they are about universal themes – love, jealousy, war, betrayal and fate.
The Classical Studies programme, available at the Auckland and Manawatū campuses and by distance learning, will also host a series of public talks this semester, based on classical takes on big themes of our times, including democracy and its roots; post-truth politics in Rome, and animal rights in the ancient world.
Check the website here. Follow on Twitter @classicalnz