[Usyd_Classics_Events] Critical Antiquities Reading Group: Aristotle Politics Book 1

[Ben Brown]

Dear All,

First of all, apologies to Anthony Alexander: I was genuinely unaware his excellent group was still active (I am not on the mailing list so I incorrectly assumed its cessation). I most definitely do not want this group to encroach on the great tradition he is maintaining with such dedication.

Therefore, to distinguish what I want to do I have renamed it “Critical Antiquities Reading Group: Aristotle Politics Book 1”. So far I have had enough interest to warrant continuing. In discussion with some people it has been suggested a ‘breakfast club’ might be a better option for everyone, meeting in (say) Taste in the Law School, perhaps fortnightly rather than weekly, at 7.30-8am, with a day to be determined.

If this sounds like a better option for those who were interested but could not take up my earlier suggestion, please let me know.

all best, Ben

DR BEN BROWN
Classics and Ancient History
School of Humanities A18
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Co-director Critical Antiquities Network
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY NSW 2006
Ph.: 9351 8983; Office: Main Quad J6.07
E benjamin.brown at sydney.edu.au<mailto:benjamin.brown at sydney.edu.au> | W http://sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history/staff/profiles/benjamin.brown.php

Erst kommt das Fressen, dann kommt die Moral

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From: Ben Brown <benjamin.brown at sydney.edu.au>
Date: Wednesday, 24 January 2024 at 7:12 pm
To: "Usyd_Classics_Events at mailman.sydney.edu.au" <Usyd_Classics_Events at mailman.sydney.edu.au>, _Arts SSPS Academic <_ArtsSSPSAcademic at mcs.usyd.edu.au>, _ARTS SOH Academics <_ARTSSOHAcademics at mcs.usyd.edu.au>
Subject: Reading Group: Aristotle Politics Book 1

Dear all,
Apologies for the spam but I wanted to be as inclusive as possible to gauge interest. I’m thinking of reactivating our Greek reading group and tackling the first book of Aristotle’s Politics—hence the wide circulation beyond those more narrowly focused on the language. There are a number of reasons why I think it is timely to reconsider Aristotle’s masterpiece, not least because (along with many) I believe the text has some important things to say to our current historical situation, about democracy, politics and how we frame (or ought to frame) the terms of a critique of our present. Aristotle’s Politics is a starting point for so much modern thought (Marx, Arendt, Rancière, etc), but we rarely read and discuss the text directly in translation, let alone in Greek!

I want to start from scratch with Ross’ 1957 Oxford Classical Text edition (a PDF can be supplied) and work through Book 1’s thirteen chapters (25 pages of Ross’ text) slowly across the year. Traditionally our reading group, formerly led magisterially by Anthony Alexander (who would be an honoured participant if you can make it!), was held from 4.30-6pm on Tuesdays in the Kevin Lee Room. I’d like to maintain the tradition (in the same location if possible), but first sound out the opinion of our larger community to see if it’s something people are interested in. We’d begin in week 3, March 5. The Greek is not hard, but it is Aristotle, which means we will be pausing a lot to discuss the grammar, technical sense, his terminology and offer interpretations. With help of the group even beginners will find much to appreciate, but the Greekless too might enjoy the process of translation, explanation and philological commentary. We will read slowly and carefully. If we can get at least 7-8 regularly attending, it will be well worth it, and may very well extend to book 2 over the horizon.

Let me know what you think!

All best, Ben

DR BEN BROWN
Senior Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History
Honours and Research Seminar Coordinator
School of Humanities (SoH)
Co-director Critical Antiquities Network<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/ef4nCp81lrt9BQVY3UDV4PL?domain=criticalantiquities.org>
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY NSW 2006
Ph.: 9351 8983; Office: Main Quad J6.07
E benjamin.brown at sydney.edu.au<mailto:benjamin.brown at sydney.edu.au> | W http://sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history/staff/profiles/benjamin.brown.php

Erst kommt das Fressen, dann kommt die Moral
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