You’re invited to a free public lecture from the University of Worcester examining the fascinating way ancient traditions and cultures are interconnected through the moon.
Dr Luke Devine, Senior Lecturer in History, Sociology, and Politics at the University of Worcester, will deliver his lecture The Gendered Moon and Textual Transmission, from 5-6pm on 11 November at The Hive.
He’ll be discussing how ideas about the moon travelled across cultures and time, from ancient Greece with Sappho and Plato, through the Islamic philosophical tradition, to medieval Jewish mysticism.
The lecture will follow the transmission of ideas around the goddess Selene, the moon goddess of ancient Greek tradition, and will examine how these concepts evolved over thousands of years before appearing in in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Dr Devine said: “My lecture explores how ideas about the moon travelled across different cultures and intellectual traditions over a period of more than a thousand years. It’s a fascinating example of how texts and beliefs are transmitted, translated and transformed over time.”
“My latest research examines the potential roots of medieval Jewish mysticism in the philosophical traditions of ancient Greece. I have already published several articles on gender in Jewish mysticism,” he added.
He said that although the subject matter is taken from an academic piece of work, it’s very much open to everyone.
Dr Devine said: “It’s really for anyone who takes an interest in this area. I held a talk in January about Jewish responses to the Holocaust which was very well attended. There’ll be the chance for people to ask their own questions about the themes as well.”
The event is completely free but must be booked in advance. Book your tickets here.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk