Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! | Greek Mythology & the Ancient Mediterranean Conversations: Deconstructing 'Classicism' and So-Called Western Civilization, w/ Dr Dan-el Padilla Peralta
Nov 21, 2025
Dan-el Padilla Peralta, professor and author tackling race and power in ancient Mediterranean studies. He unpacks the myth of Western founders and critiques how 'classics' has been racialized. Conversations cover translation bias, fetishization of antiquity, ethical accountability in scholarship, and reimagining stewardship of the past.
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Classics And Racialized Supremacy
- The study of classics has been racialized to support Western supremacy.
- Liv and Dan-el link that racialization to phobias like racism and xenophobia shaping the field.
Academia's Civic Responsibility
- Academics must orient students to moral and civic obligations beyond campus walls.
- Dan-el Padilla Peralta argues classics should connect ancient study to present ethical commitments.
Use All Interpretative Resources
- Use every interpretative resource because antiquity is complex and multifaceted.
- Include perspectives from queer, indigenous, and diasporic communities when reconstructing the past.
