Humanities and Arts
PROFILE ECOCRITICISM AND ANCIENT ENVIRONMENTS
Christopher Schliephake
Abstract
Summary
Ecocriticism, an interdisciplinary field examining the relationship between literature, culture, and the environment, has gained significant traction in the humanities since its emergence in the late 20th century. In classical studies, ecocriticism offers a framework for reinterpreting ancient texts by exploring how they represent human-nature interactions and environmental surroundings. While classical culture has often been viewed as anthropocentric, recent scholarship challenges this perspective by highlighting the ways ancient authors engaged with non-human forces and ecological themes. Key approaches in classical ecocriticism include analyzing how literary genres reflect environmental contexts, examining myths as narratives of human-nature relationships, and conducting landscape studies that explore the interplay between texts and physical spaces. Material ecocriticism, which emphasizes the agency of non-human matter, has also influenced classical studies by rethinking traditional divides between "nature" and "culture." However, applying ecocriticism to ancient texts presents challenges, particularly in avoiding anachronistic assumptions. Modern terms like "nature" and "ecology" carry connotations that do not align with ancient thought, requiring scholars to carefully trace the historical roots of environmental concepts. Despite these challenges, ecocritical approaches have enriched classical studies by revealing how ancient texts reflect and shape environmental imagination. Recent works, such as Ecocriticism, Ecology, and the Cultures of Antiquity (2017) and Antiquities Beyond Humanism (2019), demonstrate the growing influence of ecocriticism in the field. Looking ahead, the establishment of dedicated platforms, such as journals or research centers, promises to further integrate ecocritical perspectives into classical studies, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on ancient and modern environmental thought.
Key Questions
What is ecocriticism, and how has it evolved in literary and cultural studies?
Ecocriticism is an academic movement that examines the relationship between literature, culture, and the physical environment. Initially defined as "the study of the relationship between literature and the physical environment" (Glotfelty, 1996), it has grown into a major interdisciplinary field in the humanities, focusing on environmental issues, ecological relations, and the interplay between human societies and their surroundings.
How does ecocriticism apply to classical studies and ancient texts?
Ecocriticism in classical studies explores how ancient texts and cultural traditions represent human-nature interactions. It challenges the perception of classical culture as purely anthropocentric and examines how ancient authors depicted environmental surroundings, non-human forces, and the interplay between culture and nature. Recent scholarship has integrated ecocritical approaches to reinterpret ancient texts in light of modern environmental concerns.
What challenges arise when applying ecocriticism to ancient texts?
One major challenge is avoiding anachronistic assumptions, as modern terms like "nature," "ecology," and "Anthropocene" carry connotations that do not align with ancient Greek or Roman thought. Ecocritical readings of ancient texts must navigate these semantic differences while tracing the historical roots of environmental concepts and avoiding the imposition of modern frameworks onto premodern traditions.
What are the key approaches to ecocriticism in classical studies?
Three main approaches include: (1) analyzing how literary genres reflect environmental surroundings, (2) examining myths and their environmental implications, and (3) conducting landscape studies that explore the interplay between textual narratives and physical spaces. These approaches highlight the ways ancient texts engage with non-human worlds and the material environments they describe.
How does material ecocriticism contribute to classical studies?
Material ecocriticism emphasizes the agency of non-human matter and rejects the traditional divide between "nature" and "culture." In classical studies, this approach reinterprets ancient texts by focusing on the interactions between humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It also explores how ancient authors depicted non-human forces, such as rivers or deities, as active participants in the world.
What is the significance of recent ecocritical work in classical studies?
Recent ecocritical work has reshaped how scholars interpret the ancient environmental imagination. By integrating insights from ecocriticism and the environmental humanities, classicists have developed new reading practices that emphasize the interplay between human and non-human worlds. This has led to a deeper understanding of how ancient texts reflect and shape environmental thought.
What future directions are emerging for ecocriticism in classical studies?
Future directions include the establishment of dedicated platforms, such as journals or research centers, to foster ecocritical debate in classical studies. Institutions like the Centre for Ancient Environmental Studies at St Andrews are pioneering efforts to create a shared space for interdisciplinary research on ancient environmental thought and its relevance to contemporary ecological issues.
