Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Discovery Theme Conference on Humor in the Ancient World

Illustration of a creature sticking its tongue out
April 20 - April 21, 2018
12:00 am - 12:00 am
Senate Chamber Room on Friday 4/20 and Ohio Staters, Inc. Traditions Room on Saturday 4/21 at The Ohio Union, The Ohio State University, 1739 North High Street Columbus, Ohio

What’s So Funny?
Discovering and Interpreting Humor in the Ancient World


Humor is a ubiquitous human phenomenon with a wide range of applications. Yet, what is deemed humorous is often culturally determined. This poses a significant challenge for scholars of ancient cultures. How do we identify what ancient cultures found funny? How did they use humor, and what drove their usage?

This conference is a forum for scholars across disciplines to discuss humor and its functions in both textual and material sources across the ancient Mediterranean, from the early Near East through late antiquity. Presentations will explore the use of humor in a variety of contexts, including gender, education, politics, and religion.

Keynote Speakers
Christine Hayes (Yale University)
Amy Richlin (University of California, Los Angeles)
Ian Ruffell (University of Glasgow)
Jack M. Sasson (Vanderbilt University)

Link to Poster [pdf]
Link to Program [pdf]

Free Registration

 

[pdf] - Some links on this page are to .pdf files.  If you need these files in a more accessible format, please contact oldaker.17@osu.edu.  PDF files require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader software to open them. If you do not have Reader, you may use the following link to Adobe to download it for free at: Adobe Acrobat Reader.