Join Dr. Ashley London Bacchi (Assistant Professor of Jewish History and Ancient Mediterranean Religions, Starr King School for the Ministry) for a timely discussion of the role Hellenistic art can play in combatting racism and sexism.
The weaponization of Greek and Roman art and architecture for white supremacist ideologies need to be combated. Nineteenth and twentieth century reception history white-washed the diversity of the Hellenistic Mediterranean to align with views of the ideal world order, one molded by a sense of racial and gender superiority.
Art history is a powerful tool for combating racism and sexism, because it offers much-needed context that is often lost or distorted. This allows people to make informed decisions about how they will engage with those symbols and the power they will or will not allow them to hold.
The Hellenistic period in particular breaks down gender role assumptions that have been placed upon the ancient Mediterranean to substantiate claims against women and power. Dr. Bacchi proposes that a more widespread understanding of the Hellenistic Period may work to dismantle racist and sexist ideologies that undergird white supremacist groups.
Please email care@gtu.edu to register for this free, online event!
Attending this event will provide two co-curricular units for those in the Women's Studies in Religion Certificate Program.
[Image credit: Bronze statue of Arsinoe II holding a cornucopia, 3rd century BCE, British Museum: BMEA38443]
This event is online only