Women’s Ritual Competence in the Ancient Mediterranean
Where: Bates College, Maine, USA
When: April 25-27, 2014

From the organizers:

This conference will examine the evidence–literary, visual, archaeological, epigraphic–for the ritual competence of women in the ancient Mediterranean.

Papers will explore the nature of and role played by women’s expertise in contexts that involved communication with the supernatural–be they usually described as ‘religious’ or ‘magical’. This expertise may have been demonstrated in very different ways, for example, in oral or written expression or particular activities; it may emerge from sources created directly by women, or in the responses made by others.

We are interested in case studies from ancient Greece, and in tracing connections between Greece and neighboring cultures, as relevant. Papers that include comparanda from the Near East and/or the ancient Mediterranean are especially welcome.

Please send the title of your proposed paper, with an abstract of 300-500 words to Lisa Maurizio (lmaurizi AT bates.edu) by November 25th, 2013; decisions will be made by December 20th 2013.

Professor Matt Dillon (University of New England, Australia)
Dr Esther Eidinow (University of Nottingham, UK)
Professor Lisa Maurizio (Bates College, USA)

(via Rogue Classicism)