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Staff Profiles

Professor Athanassios Vergados

Professor of Greek

  • Email: athanassios.vergados@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0)191 208 2225
  • Address: School of History, Classics and Archaeology
    Room 2.23, Armstrong Building
    Newcastle University
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU
Background

Athanassios Vergados received his first degree in Classics at the University of Athens and pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. Before joining Newcastle University he taught in the USA and in Germany. His research interests include Greek poetry (esp. hymnic and didactic), ancient etymology and linguistic thought, and papyrology. He is keen to hear from prospective research students who wish to work on topics in Greek language and  literature or ancient etymology.


Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. (Classics), University of Virginia, 2007
  • M.A. (Classics), University of Virginia, 2002
  • B.A. / Πτυχίο (Classics), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1999
  • Degree in Music (Violin), Ἑλληνικὸν Ὠιδεῖον, Athens, 1996

Academic Employment:

  • August 2020- present: Chair of Greek, Newcastle University
  • March 2017 -  July 2020: Reader in Greek, Newcastle University
  • Oct. 2013- Feb. 2017: W-3 Professur für Klassische Philologie: Griechische Literaturwissenschaft, University of Heidelberg (temporary, 5-year position at the rank of Full Professor)
  • Aug. 2012 - July 2013: Assistant Professor of Classics (tenure-track), University of Tennessee / Knoxville
  • Sept. 2010- July 2012: Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the Seminar für Klassische Philologie, University of Heidelberg
  • July 2007 - June 2010: Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics, Franklin & Marshall College / Lancaster, PA
  • Aug. 2001 - May 2007: Postgraduate teaching assistant, University of Virginia

Publications:
Books:

  1. Hesiod's Verbal Craft: Studies in Hesiod's Linguistic Thought and its Ancient Reception, Oxford University Press: Oxford/New York, Aug. 2020 (384p.) || Reviews: The Review of Metaphysics 74 (2021) 644–5 (G. Boys-Stones); Sun News Tucson 12.02.2021 (C. Cunningham)
  2. A Commentary on the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, Texte und Kommentare 41, Walter De Gruyter: Berlin / New York, Nov. 2012 (XVI 717p.) || Reviews: Religious Studies Review 40 (2014) 40 (A. Faulkner); Classical World 107.3 (2014) 415–7 (C. Nobili); Exemplaria Classica 18 (2014) 197–200 (I. Taida); Journal of Hellenic Studies 135 (2015) 184–5 (A. Kelly); Museum Helveticum 73 (2016) 223 (M. Skempis); Gnomon 89 (2017) 107–10 (J. Klooster)

Edited Volumes:

  1. (with Jenny Strauss Clay), Teaching through Images: Imagery in Greco-Roman Didactic Poetry, Brill: Leiden/Boston, 2021.
  2. (with Gianfranco Agosti), Etymology and Literary Culture in Greco-Roman Antiquity, Thematic Section of Incontri di Filologia Classica XIX-XX (2019-2020) 53-333 (published in May 2021).
  3. (with L. Athanassaki and C. Nappa), Gods and Men in Greek and Latin Poetry. Essays in Honor of Jenny Strauss Clay. Ariadne Supplement II. Crete University Press, 2018 (also available online) || Reviews: Revue des Études Grecques 132 (2019) (P. Hummel); Classical Journal 2019.10.07 (A. Augoustakis); Journal of Hellenic Studies 140 (2020) 261–2 (J. Larson); Kernos 33 (2020) 352–3 (V. Pirenne-Delforge)
  4. (with A. Faulkner and A. Schwab), The Reception of the Homeric Hymns, Oxford University Press, 2016. || Reviews: Exemplaria Classica 21 (2017) 249–51 (A. Barchiesi); Wiener Studien 131 (2018) 4–5; BMCR 2018.03.60 (S. Sansom); Journal of Hellenic Studies 138 (2018) 303–4 (L. Boychenko); Religious Studies Review 44 (2018) 107 (M. Kochenash); Anabases: Traditions et Réceptions de l'Antiquité 28 (2018) 372–3 (E. Colangelo); Cadmo: Revista de História Antiga 27 (2018) 284–5 (L. M. Barbosa)

Articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters:

  1. (with Aphilochios Papathomas) "An Oxyrhynchan Deed of Surety for a Registered Sailor from the Dossier of Flavia Anastasia." Forthcoming in Tyche.
  2. "Etymology and the Rewriting of the Homeric Hymn to Apollo in Apollonius Rhodius 2.669–719." Forthcoming in: A. Zucker and C. Le Feuvre (eds.), Ancient Greek Theories and Practices of Etymology 2 (De Gruyter).
  3. "Hesiod and Some Linguistic Approaches of the 5th century BC." In: H. Koning and L. Iribarren (eds.), Hesiod and the Beginnings of Greek Philosophy (Brill) 2022, 239–62.
  4. "Order and Chaos in Hesiod's Theogony," Antiquorum Philosophia 15 (2021) 27–40.
  5. "Pseudo-Oppian's Didactic Paths." In: J. Strauss Clay & A. Vergados (eds.), Teaching through Images: Imagery in Greek and Roman Didactic Poetry (Brill) 2021, 338–60.
  6. (with J. Strauss Clay) "Introduction." In: J. Strauss Clay & A. Vergados (eds.), Teaching through Images: Imagery in Greek and Roman Didactic Poetry (Brill) 2021, 1–22.
  7. "Text als Resource: Hesiodeische σήματα in Arats Phainomena." In: D. Delp & X. Herren (eds.), TextRessourcen. Agrarische, poetische und soziale Ressourcen in archaischer und hellenistischer Zeit. Hildesheim (Olms) 2021, 189–226.
  8. "Hesiod's Monsters and the Limits of Etymological Signification." In: G. Agosti & A. Vergados, Etymology and Literary Culture in Greco-Roman Antiquity, Thematic Section of Incontri di Filologia Classica XIX-XX (2019-2020) 58–85. (published May 2021).
  9. “Callimachean Echoes in Oppian, Halieutica 1.80–92.” Classical Journal 116 (2021) 424–44.
  10. “Etymological Explanations of Fish-Names in Oppian’s Halieutica: between Poetry, Philology, and Scholarship.” In: A. Zucker & C. Le Feuvre (ed.), Ancient Greek Theories and Practices of Etymology 1 Berlin/Boston (De Gruyter), 2021, 179–212.
  11. "Rethinking Zieliński's Law and its Application in Hesiod's Theogony," Paideia: rivista di filologia, ermeneutica e critica letteraria 74 (2019) 1239–57.
  12. “Hermes and the Figs (On P.Oxy. 17.2084).” In: J. F. Miller & J. Strauss Clay (eds.), Tracking Hermes/ Mercury, OUP, 2019, 309–21.
  13. "Hermes and Carion in Aristophanes' Ploutos". In: L. Athanassaki, C. Nappa, A. Vergados (eds.), Gods and Men in Greek and Latin Poetry. Essays in Honor of Jenny Strauss Clay. Ariadne Supplement II. Crete University Press, 2018, 159–80.
  14. Ὁ ὁμηρικὸς ὕμνος στὸν Ἑρμῆ.” In: F. Manakidou & M. Noussia, Ἄρχομ᾽ ἀείδειν. Δεκατρείς μελέτες για τους αρχαίους ελληνικούς ύμνους. Gutenberg, Athens, 2018, 100–128.
  15. "Hes. Th. 269." Eikasmòs 29 (2018) 9–14.
  16.  "Der Dichter als Leser und (Fehl-)interpret: Hesiod in den homerischen Scholien." In: J. Grethlein & A. Rengakos (eds.), Griechische Literaturgeschichtsschreibung. Traditionen, Probleme und Konzepte (De Gruyter), p. 271–97.
  17. “Zusammenspiel von Gattung und Interpretation in Euripides Bakchen 266-327.” Antike und Abendland 62 (2016) 38–57.
  18. Article “Hermes”. Oxford Bibliographies Online 2016.
  19. (with A. Faulkner and A. Schwab), “Introduction. The Homeric Hymns’ Reception in Hellenistic Literature.” In: A. Faulkner, A. Vergados, and A. Schwab (eds.), The Reception of the Homeric Hymns, OUP, 2016, 1–26.
  20. “The Homeric Hymns in the Prose Hymns of Aelius Aristides.” In: A. Faulkner, A. Schwab, and A.Vergados (eds.), The Reception of the Homeric Hymns, OUP, 2016, 165–86.
  21. “Introduction to and commentary on Corinna PMG 654, 655, 664, 690.” In: D. Sider (ed.), Hellenistic Poetry: A Selection (University of Michigan Press), 2016, p. 243–64.
  22. “Introduction to and commentary on Philoxenus PMG 836 (‘Attic Dinner’).” In: D. Sider (ed.), Hellenistic Poetry: A Selection (University of Michigan Press), 2016, p. 485–509.
  23. “Narrative Strategies and the Reception of Hesiod in Callimachus’ Loutra Pallados.” In: A. Faulkner & O. Hodkinson (eds.), Hymnic Narrative and the Narratology of Greek Hymns, Brill: Leiden/Boston, 2015, p. 69–86.
  24. “Stitching Narratives: Unity and Episode in Hesiod.” in: Chr. Werner, A. Dourado-Lopes & E. Werner (eds.), Tecendo narrativas: Unidade e episódio na literatura grega antiga, São Paulo, 2015, p. 29–54.
  25. “Defining δίκη in Hesiod’s Works and Days.” In: M. Christopoulos & M. Paizi-Apostolopoulou (eds.), Ἔγκλημα καὶ τιμωρία στὴν ὁμηρικὴ καὶ ἀρχαϊκὴ ποίηση (Crime and Punishment in Homeric and Archaic Poetry). Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on the Odyssey, Ithaca, 2014, 367–78.
  26. “Form and Function of Some Theban Resonances in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.” In: C. Tsangalis (ed.), Theban Resonances in Homeric Epic, De Gruyter: Berlin/Boston, 2014, p. 423–37.
  27. “Etymologie und Aitiologie bei Hesiod: die Musennamen in der Theogonie.” In: Chr. Reitz & A. Walter (eds.), Dichtung und Ursache: Strukturen aitiologischen Denkens, Olms: Hildesheim/Zürich/New York, 2014, p. 105–40.
  28. “What Was He Reading Exactly? Marcus Argentarius, AP 9.161 (= GP 1369–72), and Hesiod’s Works and Days.” Illinois Classical Studies 38 (2013) 65–80.
  29. “An Unnoticed Testimonium to the Hesiodic Melampodia? PSI 14.1398 and [Hesiod] Melampodia fr. 276 M.-W. (= 212 Most).” Philologus 157 (2013) 5–15.
  30. “The Cyclopes and the Hundred-Handers in Hesiod, Theogony 139–53.” Hermes 141 (2013) 1–7.
  31. “Commenting on the Homeric Hymn to Hermes: Between Philology and History.” In: R. Bouchon, P. Brillet-Dubois, N. Le Meur-Weissman (eds.), Hymnes de la Grèce antique: approaches littérraires et historiques, Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée, Lyon, 2012, p. 191–98 (submitted October 2008).
  32. “Verbal Performances in Lucian’s Symposium.” Ἀρχαιογνωσία 16 (2012) 225–43.
  33. “Hesychius, s.v. στορεύς (σ 1933).” Glotta 88 (2012) 224–31.
  34. “ἐρίηρος ἀοιδός (θ 62—3): Etymologisches Wortspiel in der Odyssee.” Wiener Studien 125 (2012) 7–22.
  35. (with Shawn O’Bryhim) “Reconsidering Catullus’ passer.” Latomus 16 (2012) 101–13.
  36. “Corinna’s Poetic Mountains: PMG 654 col. I 1–34 and Hesiodic Reception.” Classical Philology 107 (2012) 101–18.
  37. “Wein, Weib und Gesang: on Catullus 27.” Classica et Mediaevalia 62 (2011) 153–67.
  38. “Edition of P.Duke Inv. 913: Letter of Hermias to Apollon.” Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 48 (2011) 51–60.
  39. “The Homeric Hymn to Hermes: Humour and Epiphany.” In: A. Faulkner (ed.), The Homeric Hymns: Interpretative Essays (Oxford University Press, 2011), p. 83–104.
  40. “Shifting Focalization in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes: the Case of Hermes’ Cave.” Greek Roman and Byzantine Studies 51 (2011) 1–25.
  41. “Hesiod, Hellanikos und Hermes (zu ZPE 160 (2007) 15–23).” Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik 170 (2010) 20–21.
  42. “Nicarchus A.P. xi 328 and Homeric Interpretation.” Mnemosyne 63 (2010) 406–23.
  43. “P.Mich. Inv. 1715: Letter from Simades to Pynas.” Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 46 (2009) 59–68.
  44. “Penelope’s Fat Hand Reconsidered (Odyssey 21.6).” Wiener Studien 122 (2009) 7–20.
  45. “Homer’s Iliad and the Unity of Sophocles’ Ajax.” In: E. Karamalengou and E. Makrygianni (eds.), Ἀντιφίλησις. Studies on Classical, Byzantine and Modern Greek Literature and Culture in Honour of John-Theophanes A. Papademetriou (Franz Steiner Verlag Stuttgart, 2009), 154–60.
  46. “The Homeric Hymn to Hermes v. 51 and Antigonus of Carystus.” Classical Quarterly 57.2 (2007) 737–42.

Conferences organised:

  • (with Shaul Tor): "Reflections on Language in Early Greece," via Zoom, Sept. 1–3, 2021.
  • (with Gianfranco Agosti): "Etymology and Literary Culture in Ancient Greece and Rome", Newcastle University, Dec. 16–17, 2019.
  • (with Anke Walter): "Ἀρχή and origo: The Power of Origins", Newcastle University, May 2–4, 2019 [supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Newcastle Institute for Social Renewal]
  • (with Jenny Strauss Clay and Anke Walter) “Time and Eternity: the Conception of Time in Archaic Greek Literature”, University of Virginia, Sept. 22–24, 2017 [supported by the University of Virginia Department of Classics, the Ancient History Fund, the UVa College of Arts and Sciences, the UVa Institute for Global Humanities, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation]
  • (with Jenny Strauss Clay) “Teaching through Images: Imagery in Greek and Roman Didactic Poetry”, Heidelberg, July 1–3, 2016 [supported by the foundation Humanismus heute]
  • Workshop on philological commentaries, Heidelberg, June 20, 2015.
  • (with Andrew Faulkner) Conference on “Greek poetry, from Homer to Nonnus”, Heidelberg, June 13, 2015
  • (with Andrew Faulkner and Andreas Schwab), “The Reception of the Homeric Hymns”, Heidelberg, June 22-24, 2014 [supported by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation]


    Research

    Research Interests

    Ancient Greek poetry (esp. hymnic and didactic)

    Ancient etymology and linguistic thought

    Classical mythology, its contexts and uses

    Literature on dining and the symposium

    Papyrology

    Teaching

    Teaching in 2022/23

    Semester 1 

    • CAG1001, Beginners' Greek in Action 1 (module leader)
    • CAG1011, Intermediate Greek I (module leader)
    • CAC1014, Tragedy, Comedy, History: The World of Greek Literature (module leader)

    Semester 2

    • CAG1002, Beginners' Greek in Action 2 (module leader)
    • CAC2063/3063, Approaches to Greem Mythology (module leader)
    • CLA3002, Special Study in Latin, Catullus (module leader)


    Office Hours in semester 2 (during teaching weeks), all in person in ARMB.2.23

    • Tuesdays, 10:00–12:00
    • Wednesdays, 11:00–12:00

    ****On Tuesday 2nd May my office hours will take place at 12-2pm due to another University-related commitment***


    For planning purposes, please email me (athanassios.vergados@ncl.ac.uk) if you plan to come to my office hours.

    Publications