Spectacles through the eyes of a traveling donkey ...
Mission Statement:
This website has been created as part of a graduate seminar on Roman spectacles at the University of British Columbia. The purpose of this site is to provide an introduction to Apuleius' work the Metamorphoses with particular emphasis on the passages pertaining to spectacles. Although definitions of spectacle vary, for the purposes of this site only four passages have been selected for analysis. These consist of the games of Demochares, the games of Thiasus, the theater and sex scene spectacle, and the final procession. For each of the selected passages word clouds have been generated in various forms. Along with these, questions are posed that will stimulate discussion of the word usage in these passages. The ultimate question being asked is does changing the format of the passages change our perceptions of spectacle? In addition to this the clouds generated by these passages are placed side by side, offering a direct comparison of word usage. The variances in vocabulary are striking and allow for the examination of ancient texts in a new way.
In addition to the word cloud analysis sections of this webpage, pages have been created which provide general background information about Apuleius, the Metamorphoses, and Roman spectacles in general. The intention behind this is to create a site which is not limiting to those who have a background in classical languages and/or history, while at the same time promoting interest in the ancient world, its texts and spectacles. These pages are not designed to be comprehensive, but to be a starting point for those interested in learning more about these topics. Moreover, for those seeking to apply the techniques used in this project, the page entitled 'Digital Humanities Project and Tools' has been created. Access to the various digital humanities tools including the word cloud creation sites used can be found here. It is the hope that with the creation and development of new and improved tools for the digital humanities our comprehension of the ancient world will increase and that we will be able to examine the evidence surviving from antiquity in different ways. For now, please enjoy the spectacles of the Metamorphoses through the eyes of Lucius, a former man, but now a traveling donkey ...
Bethany Brothers
BA, BEd, MA
Current Phd student at the University of British Columbia (2013)
Photograph (above): Sunrise at Kallithea, Thessaly by Bethany Brothers
In addition to the word cloud analysis sections of this webpage, pages have been created which provide general background information about Apuleius, the Metamorphoses, and Roman spectacles in general. The intention behind this is to create a site which is not limiting to those who have a background in classical languages and/or history, while at the same time promoting interest in the ancient world, its texts and spectacles. These pages are not designed to be comprehensive, but to be a starting point for those interested in learning more about these topics. Moreover, for those seeking to apply the techniques used in this project, the page entitled 'Digital Humanities Project and Tools' has been created. Access to the various digital humanities tools including the word cloud creation sites used can be found here. It is the hope that with the creation and development of new and improved tools for the digital humanities our comprehension of the ancient world will increase and that we will be able to examine the evidence surviving from antiquity in different ways. For now, please enjoy the spectacles of the Metamorphoses through the eyes of Lucius, a former man, but now a traveling donkey ...
Bethany Brothers
BA, BEd, MA
Current Phd student at the University of British Columbia (2013)
Photograph (above): Sunrise at Kallithea, Thessaly by Bethany Brothers
