Dr. William Thalmann

Biography

Professor Thalmann’s special interests include Greek epic drama, particularly the application of anthropological theories to explore how performances of ancient texts intersect with contemporary social and political processes, especially during periods of significant social change. He is currently engaged in writing a book that examines the geographical and cultural implications of the production of 'Argonautika' by Apollonius of Rhodes, addressing themes of cultural identity faced by the Greeks in the aftermath of Alexander’s conquests. At the Classics Department, Professor Thalmann teaches graduate courses on Greek literature, encompassing various periods and genres as well as themes such as ancient slavery, alongside undergraduate language courses and general education courses on Greek literature and culture. In the Department of Comparative Literature, he focuses on epic poetry and literature from various traditions, including Dante’s 'Divine Comedy' and contemporary Los Angeles crime fiction. He is also an editor of the Ancient World section of the 'Norton Anthology of World Literature'.

Research Interests