Ariadne's Clew: Women and Wool-Working in Greco-Roman Poetry

One of the oldest Greco-Roman myths involves Ariadne giving a ball of wool (a clew) to Theseus to help him solve the riddle of the labyrinth. In this talk Dr Clarke explores the close connection of women with wool-working (spinning, weaving) in the ancient world and discuss the metaphorical implications of this association. We will see how in myth and poetry spinning and weaving are used to present female forms of knowledge and how they offer alternate ways of communication when more conventional paths are blocked. The talk will be followed by a morning tea.

Date: Monday, 22nd of July

Time: 11am-1pm

Host or Publisher The Classics and Ancient History Society at the University of Adelaide