Anthropology 390
Honors Colloquium:  Irish Myth

After Greece and Rome, Ireland has the largest body of ancient literature of any country in Europe. Although most of this appears to have been put into writing between the seventh and twelfth centuries, from the details of language and motifs it seems clear that much of it took form within oral literature several centuries earlier. While the tales include stories of voyages, cattle raids, pursuits, feasts, places, and the like presented as though they are historical records, modern scholars are agreed that they are essentially mythological in their content. They are, in fact, our best clues to the nature of the pre-Christian Irish religion. However, they are not easily interpreted. Typically, discussions of the ancient Irish religion tell of the gods, their traits, and their deeds. But there is much more in the tales.

This colloquium will require the students to read several of the early texts in translation, and associated lectures and discussion will attempt to lead them toward an understanding of the nature of Late Iron Age Irish culture as reflected in the tales, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between social organization, the agricultural cycle, the landscape, and religion.

Readings will be selected from among such documents as portions of Lebor Gabála Érenn (‘The Book of the Takings’), Cath Maige Tuired ('The [Second] Battle of Mag Tuired'), Tochmarc Étaíne ('The Wooing of Étaín), Táin Bó Cúalnge (‘The Cooley Cattle Raid’), and the Fenian Cycle (tales of Fionn MacCumhall).

Syllabus
Links to Tale Sites & Other Useful Information
On-line Translations by Tale
Tochmarc Étaíne Cast of Characters
Paper Topics