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Non-human Animals in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion

May 13-15, 2021 (Online Conference)

Non-human animals figured prominently in ancient Greek agriculture, diet, medicine, visual art, homelife and war practices. They were also portrayed and examined in various poems, plays, dialogues and treatises. This conference aims at examining ancient Greek philosophical and religious views on issues pertaining to the nature and status of non-human animals and the attitudes of human beings towards them. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The religious significance of animal sacrifice in Greek antiquity

  2. The depiction of animals in Greek myth and poetry

  3. The goals of the systematic study of animals in Ancient Greece

  4. Animal minds and emotions in Greek thought

  5. Ancient Greek vegetarianism and its rationale and connection to ethical considerations.

Keynote speakers:

  • Julia Kindt (University of Sydney)

  • James Lennox (University of Pittsburgh).

Anonymized abstracts of 200-250 words should be sent to morsegev@usf.edu no later than February 15, 2021.

This event is hosted by the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies and the Department of Philosophy, University of South Florida.