CONF: Ancient Aitia: Explaining Matter Between Knowledge and Belief

Seen on various lists:

NYU Classics Department Graduate Student Conference 2011
Ancient Aitia: Explaining Matter Between Knowledge and Belief

Co-sponsored by:
NYU Center for Ancient Studies
NYU College of Arts and Sciences
Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
New York Classical Club
Classical Association of the Atlantic States

9 am Breakfast
9:30 Welcome & Introduction

Inger Kuin (New York University)

First Panel

Aitia in Imperial Greek Literature: Love and Faith
Chair: Melanie Subacus (New York University)

9:45 “There Must Be Something in the Water: The Questions of Bartholomew, Eve’s Seduction, and the Functional Use of Aetiology in Two Coptic Magical Texts”

Ryan B. Knowles (Boston University)

10:05 Response & Discussion

Allan Georgia (Fordham University)

10:20 “Literary Functions of the Aetiological Texts in Parthenius Nicaea’s Erotika Pathemata”

Marc Vandersmissen (Université de Liège)

10:40 Response & Discussion
Robyn Walsh (Brown University)

10:55 “The Social Side of Aitia: Demons, Seals, and Recipes in the Testament of Solomon and Late Antique Apotropaic Practices”

Katherine French (Boston University)

11:15 Response & Discussion

Zacharias Andreadakis (University of Michigan)

11:30 Coffee Break

Second Panel

Aitia in Science: Doctors, Rainbows and Stars
Chair: Inger Kuin (New York University)

11:50 “It Is Evident That There Is No Cause: Aitia in Early Greek Medicine”

David Camden (Harvard University)

12:10 Response & Discussion
Sara Agnelli (University of Florida)

12:25 “On Rainbows: Optical Technology and Meteorological Aitia”
Colin Webster (Columbia University)

12:45 Response & Discussion
Katia Kosova (New York University)

1 pm “The sidus Iulium: Political Advantage and Religious Truth”
Eric Tindale (University of Toronto)

1:20 Response & Discussion
Nicholas Geller (University of Michigan)

1:35 Lunch

Third Panel

The Aetiological Method: Time, Humor and Community
Chair: Melanie Subacus (New York University)

3 pm “Illud Tempus in Orpheus’ Song: Eliade, Apollonius, and Aetiological Time”

Kathryn Wilson (University of Pennsylvania)

3:20 Response & Discussion
Anke Walter (Universität Rostock)

3:35 “Comic First Inventions”
Alan Sumler (City University of New York Graduate Center)

3:55 Response & Discussion
Elda Granata (University La Sapienza of Rome / University of Michigan)

4:10 “Sublime Riddling: Self-Identity and Sense of Community in Symphosius’ Aenigmata”
Adrienne Ho (University of Iowa)

4:30 Response & Discussion
Paul McBreen (City University of New York Graduate Center)

4:45 Break

5 pm Keynote Address: "Why doesn’t my baby look like me? Expectations and surprises in ancient theories of inheritance."
Professor Daryn Lehoux (Queen’s University)

6 pm Reception