Dr Arlene Allan, Our People, Classics

Senior Lecturer

Contact

Office 5N9, Arts Building
Tel +64 3 479 5237
Email arlene.allan@otago.ac.nz

Academic qualifications

PhD, University of Exeter
MA, Queen's University at Kingston
BA, Trent University

Background and research interests

Arlene teaches Greek Literature (Homer and Drama), Religion and Greek and Latin language. Her research interests include Greek myth, religion and ritual, Greek society, reception studies and the interface between Hellenic religious beliefs and Christianity. She has published a book on Hermes, as well as a co-authored volume on Greek Drama and several articles on specific plays.

Teaching

2024

CLAS 242 Living and Dying in Classical Athens
GREK 211 Intermediate Greek
GREK 212 Intermediate Greek Authors
GREK 329 Advanced Greek Authors 2
GREK 464 A Topic in Greek Literature

Has also taught

CLAS 342 Ancient Greek Religion: Myth, Ritual and Belief
CLAS 345 Tales of Troy: from Homer to Hollywood
CLAS 442 Advanced Studies in Ancient Greek Religion
GREK 328 Advanced Greek Authors 1

Areas of research supervision

Greek myth, religion and/or ritual
Greek literature and/or society
Reception

Publications

Allan, A. (2024, July). From breath of life (ruach; pneuma) to immortal soul (psychē) and the creation of Heaven and Hell. Verbal presentation at the Worlds Above and Below Interdisciplinary Conference, [Hybrid]. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Detoni, M., Allan, A., Connelly, S., Summerfield, T., Townsend, S., & Shephard, K. (2024). University teachers’ perspectives on student attendance: a challenge to the identity of university teachers before, during and after Covid-19. Educational Research for Policy & Practice. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10671-024-09375-6 Journal - Research Article

Allan, A. (2023). Revisiting the relationship between the choice of Intaphernes' wife (Hdt 3.119) and Antigone 904-915. Proceedings of the 44th Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Conference. (pp. 19). Retrieved from https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/events/active/uc-events/the-44th-conference-of-the-australasian-society-for-classical-studies.html Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2022, September). The many in the one: Recognising one's own gods in the gospel accounts of the feeding of the 5000. Classics Programme Research Seminar Series, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar]. Other Research Output

Shephard, K., Townsend, S., Allan, A., Luong, H., & Trotman, T. (2022). Student attendance: Before, during and after a pandemic. In E. Heinrich, A. Jolley & L. Rowan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. (pp. 66-68). HERDSA Aotearoa/New Zealand. [Abstract] Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2024

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2023

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2022

Journal - Research Article

Allan, A. L. (2022). If I could turn back time: Further thoughts on Phaedra's delirium in Euripides' Hippolytus (208–231). Classical World, 115(3), 261-277. doi: 10.1353/clw.2022.0009

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2022). The Apatouria and Athena in Euripides' Ion. Proceedings of the 43rd Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Conference. Retrieved from https://whova.com/web/ascs_202202

Other Research Output

Allan, A. (2022, October). All in all: Finding one's own gods in the person of Christos. Classics and Ancient History Research Seminar, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].

2020

Edited Book - Research

Allan, A., Anagnostou-Laoutides, E., & Stafford, E. (Eds.). (2020). Herakles inside and outside the church: From the first Apologists to the end of the Quattrocentro. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, 360p. doi: 10.1163/9789004421530

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. (2020). The Mighty Hercules cartoon series in conversation with Steve Reeve's Hercules and some societal concerns of the early 1960s. In A. J. L. Blanshard & E. Stafford (Eds.), The modern Hercules: Images of the hero from the nineteenth to the early twenty-first century. (pp. 411-437). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: 10.1163/9789004440067_020

Allan, A. (2020). Conclusion. In A. Allan, E. Anagnostou-Laoutides & E. Stafford (Eds.), Herakles inside and outside the church: From the first Apologists to the end of the Quattrocentro. (pp. 333-339). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: 10.1163/9789004421530_017

Allan, A. (2020). Herakles, 'Christ-curious' Greeks and Revelation 5. In A. Allan, E. Anagnostou-Laoutides & E. Stafford (Eds.), Herakles inside and outside the church: From the first Apologists to the end of the Quattrocentro. (pp. 21-44). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: 10.1163/9789004421530_003

Allan, A. (2020). Introduction. In A. Allan, E. Anagnostou-Laoutides & E. Stafford (Eds.), Herakles inside and outside the church: From the first Apologists to the end of the Quattrocentro. (pp. 1-17). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: 10.1163/9789004421530_002

Journal - Research Other

Allan, A. (2020). [Review of the book Tracking Hermes, pursuing Mercury]. Arys, 18, 430-434. doi: 10.20318/arys.2020.5563

Allan, A. L. (2020). [Review of the book The Politics of Sacrifice in Early Greek Myth and Poetry]. Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 1, 13. Retrieved from http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2020/2020-01-13.html

2019

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. L. (2019, February). An ‘unholy’ alliance? Apollo and the Eumenides in Sophokles’ Oidipous Kolonos. Verbal presentation at the 40th Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Conference, Armidale, Australia.

2018

Authored Book - Research

Allan, A. (2018). Hermes. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 214p.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2018). Rethinking Hermes' "Sacrifice" (HHer 4.115-37). Proceedings of the 39th Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Meeting. (pp. 15-16). Retrieved from https://hapi.uq.edu.au

2017

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2017). 'Theory of mind' and the gods in Sophocles' Antigone. Proceedings of the Greek Drama V Conference. Retrieved from https://gdv2017.wordpress.com/allan/

Allan, A. (2017). 'If I could turn back time': Further thoughts on Phaedra's delirium in Euripides' Hippolytus (208-227). Proceedings of the 38th Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http;//www.ascs2017.wixsite.com/ascs2017/conference-details

2015

Journal - Research Other

Allan, A. L. (2015). Lycugus and tragedy [Review of the book Lycurgan Athens and the making of classical tragedy]. Classical Review, 65(2), 385-387. doi: 10.1017/S0009840X15001225

2014

Authored Book - Research

Storey, I. C., & Allan, A. (2014). A guide to ancient Greek drama (2nd ed.). Chichester, UK: Wiley Blackwell, 331p.

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. L. (2014). Suffering, trouble, labor. In H. M. Roisman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Greek tragedy. (pp. 1375-1377). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Allan, A. L. (2014). Self-sacrifice. In H. M. Roisman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Greek tragedy. (pp. 1237-1238). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Allan, A. L. (2014). Plausibility. In H. M. Roisman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Greek tragedy. (pp. 981-982). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Allan, A. L. (2014). Individual good versus common good. In H. M. Roisman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Greek tragedy. (pp. 719-720). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Allan, A. L. (2014). Indecision. In H. M. Roisman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Greek tragedy. (pp. 717-718). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Allan, A. L. (2014). Divine phthonos. In H. M. Roisman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Greek tragedy. (pp. 290-291). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].

Journal - Research Article

Mackay, M., & Allan, A. L. (2014). Filicide in Euripides' Medea: A biopoetic approach. Helios, 41(1), 59-86. doi: 10.1353/hel.2014.0002

Allan, A. L., & Potter, J. A. (2014). Loxias and Phoebus in tragedy: Convention and violation. American Journal of Philology, 135(1), 1-27. doi: 10.1353/ajp.2014.0002

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2014, January). What has Herakles to do with Christ. Verbal presentation at the 35th Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Conference, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

2013

Journal - Research Article

Allan, A. (2013). 'Thanks, but no thanks': Oikêia kaka and Theramenes' failed dokimasia. Ancient History Bulletin, 27, 23-28.

Journal - Research Other

Allan, A. L. (2013). [Review of the book Performing oaths in classical Greek drama]. Journal of Hellenic Studies, 133, 176-177. doi: 10.1017/S0075426913000256

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2013). The political side of Hermes. Proceedings of the 34th Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Conference. (pp. 1). Retrieved from http://www.cvent.com/events/alexander-the-great-and-his-successors-exhibition-conference-and-ascs-34

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2013, June). Apprehending Christ through Herakles: 'Christ-curious' Greeks and Revelation 5-6. Verbal presentation at the Hercules Conference: A Hero for All Ages, Leeds, UK.

2012

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. (2012). Turning remorse to good effect?: Arginusae, Theramenes and Aristophanes' Frogs. In C. W. Marshall & G. Kovacs (Eds.), No laughing matter: Studies in Athenian comedy. (pp. 101-114). London, UK: Bristol Classical Press.

Journal - Research Article

Allan, A. L. (2012). A reconsideration of the MSS attribution at Sophokles' Philoktetes 671-3. Mnemosyne, 65(2), 286-294. doi: 10.1163/156852511x548162

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2012). Theramenes' failed Dokimasia: A suggestion. Proceedings of the 33rd Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.ascs.org.au/news/ascs_proceedings.html

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2012, May). Loxias and Phoebus in Aeschylus. Verbal presentation at the Classical Association of Canada Annual Meeting, London, Canada.

2011

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. L. (2011). The God above all gods: The heavenly throne-room of Revelation 4 and Phidias' Zeus. In J. McWilliam, S. Puttock, T. Stevenson & R. Taraporewalla (Eds.), The statue of Zeus at Olympia: New approaches. (pp. 123-136). Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars.

Journal - Research Article

Allan, A. L. (2011). Generational degeneration: The case of Telemachus. Scholia [2010], 19, 14-30.

Allan, A. L. (2011). “Am I not the one...?” (Sophokles' Phil. 114): Neoptolemos and the allure of kleos. Classical Journal, 107(1), 1-26.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Allan, A. (2011). Reconsidering pepnumenos in its Homeric context. Proceedings of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies 32nd Annual Conference (ASCS32). (pp. 2). Retrieved from http://www.ascs32.com/download/abstracts.pdf

2010

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. L. (2010). Mars. In M. Gagarin (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of ancient Greece and Rome (Vol. 4). (pp. 358-360). Oxford University Press.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2010, June-July). The Homeric Hymn to Hermes: from epichoric reaction to panhellenic hymn. Verbal presentation at the Orality & Literacy IX Conference: Composition & Performance, Canberra, Australia.

Allan, A. (2010, July). Sacrifice and feast in Euripides’ Ion: From birthday party to warriors farewell. Verbal presentation at the Dining Divinely: Banqueting in Honour of the Gods Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2009

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2009, February). Sophokles' Philoktetes 671-3: Why the manuscripts are correct. Verbal presentation at the Conference of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies, Sydney, Australia.

2008

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2008, July). Perspectives: Zeus enthroned and Revelation 4.1-11. Verbal presentation at the The Statue of Zeus at Olympia Conference, Brisbane, Australia.

Allan, A. (2008, January). Between Delos and Delphi comes Hermes. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Society for Classical Studies Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2007

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. (2007). Masters of manipulation: Euripides' (and Medea's) use of oaths in Medea. In A. H. Sommerstein & J. Fletcher (Eds.), Horkos: The oath in Greek society. (pp. 113-124). Exeter, UK: Bristol Phoenix Press.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2007, July). Aischylos saviour?: Thargelian theatrics in Aristophanes' Frogs. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Greek Drama Conference (IV), Wellington, New Zealand.

2006

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2006, November). Hermes and the political arena. Verbal presentation at the Eighty-Sixth Anniversary Meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (Southern Section), Memphis, Tennessee.

Allan, A. (2006, January-February). Spotting the invisible god: Hermes in Sophokles' Oidipous plays. Verbal presentation at the Twenty-Seventh Conference of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies, Hobart, Australia.

2005

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. (2005). Situational aesthetics: The deification of Kairos, son of Hermes. In E. Stafford & J. Herrin (Eds.), Personification in the Greek world: From antiquity to Byzantium. (pp. 123-134). London, UK: Ashgate.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2005, July). Apprehending the Holy Spirit through Hermes. Verbal presentation at the The Fourth International Triennial Conference of the Centre for Early Christian Studies incorporating The Western Pacific Rim Patristics Association, Melbourne, Australia.

Allan, A. (2005, May). Hermes' intervention in Euripides' Ion. Verbal presentation at the Classical Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Alberta, Canada.

Allan, A. (2005, January). Hermes' intervention in Euripides' Ion. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Society for Classical Studies 26th Conference and General Meeting, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2004

Authored Book - Research

Storey, I., & Allan, A. (2004). A guide to ancient Greek drama. Oxford: Blackwell, 336p.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Allan, A. (2004). From agônistês to agônios: Hermes, chaos and conflict in competitive games and festivals. In S. Bell & G. Davies (Eds.), Games and Festivals in Classical Antiquity. (pp. 45-54). Oxford: Archaeopress. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2004, June-July). The broken oath in Euripides' Medeia. Verbal presentation at the Oath in Greek Society Conference, University of Nottingham.

Allan, A. (2004, October). Hermes as the Holy Spirit. Verbal presentation at the From Myth to Magus Colloquium, University of Waterloo.

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Allan, A. L. (2004). The lyre, the whip, and the staff of gold: Readings in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes (PhD). University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK. 296p.

2003

Chapter in Book - Research

Allan, A. L. (2003). Cattle-stealing satyrs in Sophocles' Inachos. In A. H. Sommerstein (Ed.), Shards from Kolonos: Studies in Sophoclean fragments. (pp. 309-328). Bari: Levante Editori.

2002

Chapter in Book - Research

Storey, I., Boyne, M., & Allan, A. (2002). On reading Euripides′s Hippolytos. In R. Mitchell-Boyask (Ed.), Approaches to teaching the dramas of Euripides. (pp. 178-187). New York, NY, USA: Modern Language Association of America.

2001

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Allan, A. (2001, April). Thargelian theatrics in Frogs. Verbal presentation at the Classical Association Conference, Manchester, UK.