Franke Lectures will explore Greek and Roman classics

Author Madeline Miller will read from and discuss her award-winning novel “The Song of Achilles” in the first lecture in this semester’s Franke Lecture series, titled “Greece and Rome, Continued.” 

Miller’s presentation will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. in Rm. 208 of the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St. It is free and open to the public.

The fall series will explore the constant adaptation and reinvention of classical texts spurred by the trauma of modern history. The talks are organized in conjunction with the Yale College seminar “Contemporary Reception of Greek and Roman Classics” taught by Emily Greenwood, professor of classics.

Other scheduled lectures include:

Sept. 19: Robert Crawford of the University of St. Andrews and photographer Norman McBeath will discuss “Simonides and the War on Terror.”

Oct. 3: James Tatum of Dartmouth College will speak and give a concert titled “Ragging the Classics: The Story of Music in James Weldon Johnson’s ‘Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man.’”

Oct. 31: Poet Alice Oswald will perform “Memorial: An Excavation of the Iliad.”

Nov. 28: Peter Meineck, a professor at New York University, will speak on the topic of Greek tragedy and modern warfare.

The Franke Lectures are made possible by the generosity of Richard and Barbara Franke, and are intended to present important topics in the humanities to a wide and general audience. For more information, contact Susan Stout at 203-432-6556 or email susan.stout@yale.edu.