Teacher Talks
Mythology in Context
Penn Museum
Wednesday, Apr. 23 2025, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm ET
The theme of the 2024-2025 Teacher Talk Series is “Curricular Connections.” We’ll explore how your class subjects interact with the Museum, our Collections, and the professionals that work here.
Have you ever wondered why the Strait of Gibraltar is often called the "Pillars of Hercules" or where Jason and the Argonauts embarked on their daring quest to find the Golden Fleece? For the ancient Greeks and Romans, these were more than fanciful tales—they were integral to their understanding of the world and their place within it. These myths influenced geography, politics, religion, and daily life, serving as guides to navigate both the natural and cultural landscapes of the ancient Mediterranean.
Join Graduate Guide Arielle Hardy for a journey into the heart of classical mythology, where we will uncover how these powerful stories shaped lives, reflected values, and inspired extraordinary feats of exploration and imagination. Discover how myths once rooted in specific places and contexts continue to resonate with us today.
Dinner will be provided, Act 48 Credits and parking vouchers available.
About the Speaker
Arielle Hardy is a Graduate Guide and an archaeologist with field experience in Greco-Roman religious sites. She received her B.A. at UCLA, with a double major in Classical Civilizations and Art History. She earned an M.A. in Art History at UC Davis and an M.A. in Classics at University of Colorado Boulder. She worked for several years as Assistant Curator at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art and has participated in archaeological projects in Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece. Her research interests focus on the intersections of sacred space, ritual practice, and mythology.
Upcoming Talks