Why do we need Monsters?

Audio Version (to download right-click and 'Save link as...')

Today we worry about chimaeras - organisms created by combining genes from more than one species - and science fiction writers imagine bizarre aliens on other planets, just as nineteenth-century novelists placed them in the Centre of the Earth, on Lost Worlds or in Lands that Time Forgot.

Almost every society has imagined monsters, often as hybrids of humans and beasts. This free public event brings together some of the most interesting researchers on ancient monsters and invites us to reflect on what purpose these nearly humans serve in societies ancient and modern.

Disclaimer: we cannot be held liable for the actions of your newly-created monsters.

Supported by the John Coffin Memorial Fund

Speaker(s): Professor David Wengrow (UCL), Dr Dustan Lowe (University of Kent), Dr Liz Gloyn (Royal Holloway, University of London), Dr Valeria Vitale (Institute of Classical Studies)

Organisations: Institute of Classical Studies

Event date: Tuesday, 17 October 2017 - 6:00pm