From curse tablets to animal sacrifice to places where the divinity was approached, human beings in every period and culture have communicated with the divine. We will explore together how a given culture used art to communicate with the deity, interrogate the meaning of a sacred space itself, and look closely at the literary and material evidence for rituals and beliefs. Through the lens of a chosen time period, we will analyze and critique practices and behaviors through topics such as festivals, burial practices, magical ceremonies, and rites of passage, with a view to understanding the place of sacred space in our own lives. NOTE: This course fulfills the Arts (GA) requirement for students under GenEd and Arts (AR) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed REL 0803 or GRC 0803/0903.

Where do people go to communicate with the divine? Explore with us where and how people of the many different cultures of the Greco-Roman world communicated with their gods. Why are graves and groves considered sacred space? When is a painting or sculpture considered sacred? Whom do the gods allow to enter a sacred building? Can a song be a prayer or a curse? How can dance sway the gods? Why do gods love processions and the smell of burning animals? The journey through sacred space in Greco-Roman antiquity will engage your senses and your intellect, and will reveal a mindset both ancient and new.