The Olympic Games remind us how profoundly the language, philosophy and imagery of Greek competitive events have permeated western thinking. To celebrate London's hosting of the games in 2012, King's College has organised an interdisciplinary conference, exploring a range of ancient and modern responses to the Greek idea of victory, or nike. How did it come about, for example, that personified images of Victory should lord it across the contemporary London landscape? Why does the image of Victory so permeate western art and literature? Indeed, how is it that a modern brand of sportswear came to be named after a Greek goddess? Speakers at this workshop, all from King's College London, will examine this ancient Greek tradition, as well as its various transformations over the last two and a half millennia.
Programme
9.30 - 10.00 Registration
10.00-11.15 Session I
Giambattista D'Alessio (Classics) The Poetics and Politics of the Victory Ode: from Pindar to the Hellenistic Age
Michael Squire (Classics) The Seductions of Victory in Classical and Hellenistic Greek Sculpture
11.15-11.45 Tea & Coffee
11.45-13.00 Session II
Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe (Classics) Earthly contest and cosmic victory: Satan's sports in early Christian literature
Charlotte Roueché (Hellenic Studies) Adapting Victory for Christian emperors images from Ephesus
13.00-14.15 Lunch
14.15-15.30 Session III
Ben Quash (Theology and Religious Studies) The Cross as Victory-Symbol
Michael Rowe (History): Legitimacy through Victory: the Napoleonic Cult and the Arc de Triomphe
15.30-16.00 Tea & Coffee
16.00-17.15 Session IV
Carl Bridge (Menzies Centre): Symbols of Victory? Australia's War Memorials.
Uta Balbier (North American Institute) Why Nike? Representing Victory in the USA.
Please book via our e-shop
Access to the College is regulated at weekends, and those wishing to attend must book. Tickets (for attendance, refreshments and a sandwich lunch) are priced at £10.
Hellenists across the United Kingdom are marking this summer's celebrations with a series of events and this event is also part of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies Olympics Ancient & Modern programme.