Accounting for the Ancient Theatre: a new social and economic history of Classical Greek drama. This project will significantly advance our understanding of the Classical theatre, an institution at the fountainhead of the European tradition that continues to form a major element in Australia's cultural and historical heritage. The undertaking of such an ambitious project in this field on Australian soil will greatly enhance the international profile of Australian humanities research, and serve a ....Accounting for the Ancient Theatre: a new social and economic history of Classical Greek drama. This project will significantly advance our understanding of the Classical theatre, an institution at the fountainhead of the European tradition that continues to form a major element in Australia's cultural and historical heritage. The undertaking of such an ambitious project in this field on Australian soil will greatly enhance the international profile of Australian humanities research, and serve as a proud counterweight to the regrettable tendency that sees Australian-trained scholars conduct such research outside the country. It will have particular resonance for the prominent Italian and Greek communities in Australia in its exploration of a key element of their cultural heritage which has now also become a truly global phenomenon. Read moreRead less
Basil of Caesarea and the nexus of Greek, Latin and Semitic cultures in late Antiquity. In a period of heightening religious and cultural tension in Australia, this project seeks to explore a moment when Western and Semitic cultures worked together very well, only to yield in the following two centuries to increasing alienation that prepared the ground for Islam. In terms of international scholarship the project tackles an outstanding lacuna in late 4th century history: the Syrian chapter in the ....Basil of Caesarea and the nexus of Greek, Latin and Semitic cultures in late Antiquity. In a period of heightening religious and cultural tension in Australia, this project seeks to explore a moment when Western and Semitic cultures worked together very well, only to yield in the following two centuries to increasing alienation that prepared the ground for Islam. In terms of international scholarship the project tackles an outstanding lacuna in late 4th century history: the Syrian chapter in the dissemination of Basil of Caesarea's teaching on Christian monasticism. The collaboration with overseas scholars, and the high standard and solidity of projected outcome will confirm Australia's high reputation in ancient, Middle Eastern and Religious studies.Read moreRead less
Plato Comicus and Greek comedy: a study of his dramatic career. The experience of Greek comedy offers numerous points of contact with our own society. This project analyses an author and genre that flourished within a robustly democratic society, touching on perennial matters of social and political importance and raising pertinent questions about censorship, free speech, even good taste. Such a study can enlarge reflection on our own values, contributing cultural perspectives necessary for cons ....Plato Comicus and Greek comedy: a study of his dramatic career. The experience of Greek comedy offers numerous points of contact with our own society. This project analyses an author and genre that flourished within a robustly democratic society, touching on perennial matters of social and political importance and raising pertinent questions about censorship, free speech, even good taste. Such a study can enlarge reflection on our own values, contributing cultural perspectives necessary for constructive public debate and a healthy democracy. The project will also make a significant contribution to current trends in international classical scholarship. Its ambitious scope will contribute to research excellence within Australian Classics and further promote its reputation overseas.Read moreRead less
The Theatrical Revolution: The Expansion of Theatre Outside Athens. The growth of the Greek theatre has valuable insights for contemporary Australian concerns. The world's first medium of mass communication rapidly shaped Greek national identity, but also contributed to Athenian cultural and political hegemony. For its power to transform political practices, business, personal relationships, and ideas, the spread of theatre has been illuminatingly compared to the growth of the internet. Understa ....The Theatrical Revolution: The Expansion of Theatre Outside Athens. The growth of the Greek theatre has valuable insights for contemporary Australian concerns. The world's first medium of mass communication rapidly shaped Greek national identity, but also contributed to Athenian cultural and political hegemony. For its power to transform political practices, business, personal relationships, and ideas, the spread of theatre has been illuminatingly compared to the growth of the internet. Understanding this process is of clear concern to small nations struggling to conserve their national interest while adapting to global culture. Read moreRead less
Macrina of Annesi and the Emergence of Monasticism in Central Anatolia. This project builds on extensive research into the 'Great Asketikon' of Basil the Great, the primary document of monasticism in Anatolia (modern Turkey). By using on-the-ground search for the location of Annesi (the family home of Macrina, Basil's sister), a new collation of all the sources relating to Macrina and a new collection of the letters of Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina's biographer, it aims to present a revised view of ....Macrina of Annesi and the Emergence of Monasticism in Central Anatolia. This project builds on extensive research into the 'Great Asketikon' of Basil the Great, the primary document of monasticism in Anatolia (modern Turkey). By using on-the-ground search for the location of Annesi (the family home of Macrina, Basil's sister), a new collation of all the sources relating to Macrina and a new collection of the letters of Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina's biographer, it aims to present a revised view of the emergence of this local monasticism. Two books, if not three will result: an historical monograph, 'The Book of Macrina' and 'The Letters of Gregory of Nyssa'.Read moreRead less