DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES | SQ 24
NOTES FROM THE FIELD

PROF. MIKE CHIN

DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 12:00-1:00 PM
912 SPROUL

Prophets and Puppets: Notes on Ancient Healing and Entertainment

The cult of Glykon, a snake who was believed to be a manifestation of the healing god Asclepius, was wildly popular in the second and third century Roman Empire. Our primary source describing this cult, the satirist Lucian, describes it as entirely fraudulent, masterminded by a figure whom Lucian calls a would-be magician and a false prophet. In this talk I'll take up some of Lucian's descriptions of Glykon and Alexander, and suggest how looking at the cult of Glykon through the lens of participatory performance art can help us understand the tensions between belief and skepticism in ancient religion.

All are welcome | Lunch Served