Lies, Lyres, and Laughter: Surplus Potential in the \u3ci\u3eHomeric Hymn to Hermes\u3c/i\u3e

This paper seeks to reevaluate scholarly responses to the laughter in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes. Using Zupančič\u27s recent work on comedy, I argue that Hermes intentionally exploits surplus potentials that emerge from splits in the perceived unity and completeness of Zeus\u27s cosmos. Through surpluses (a tortoise-lyre, a baby cattle rustler, a baby master of legal speech), Hermes is able to attain his place among the Olympians. The laughter of the audience is one final expression of this acceptance of Hermes and his potential

Reconsidering Zeus’ Order: The Reconciliation of Apollo and Hermes

This paper argues that the Homeric Hymn to Hermes explores competing ways of approaching the world through the figures of Hermes and Apollo. Apollo’s reliance on the established world, partially marked by the knowledge of εἰδέναι, is insufficient in understanding Hermes, who aligns himself with the flexible capacity of νόος. Whereas Apollo eliminates his rivals in order to establish himself permanently, Hermes exploits unexplored potentials in order to create space alongside the established gods in the Olympian order. Ultimately, the newly forged friendship of Apollo and Hermes helps us understand the nature of Zeus more fully

Predictive Modelling for Anuran Responses to Climate Change in Tropical Montane Ecosystems

Climate change poses a serious threat to many species globally. Potential responses are shifting range, adapting (e.g., phenological changes) or face extinction. Tropical montane ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to shifts in future climate due to rapid land use change, high population growth and multiple changes in the climate system, such as shifts and intensity of seasonality. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) through Species Distribution Modelling (SDMs) provides a means of spatially assessing the potential impact of climate change on species ranges, but SDMs are limited in application by incomplete distribution data, a particularly acute challenge with rare and narrow ranging species. Malagasy amphibians exemplify the problems of SDMs in CCVA: two-thirds (166 species) have insufficient distribution data to run an SDM. This thesis developed a Trait Distribution Model (TDM) framework to spatially assess the climate-change vulnerability of data-poor, threatened Malagasy amphibians for the first time. By grouping species into trait complexes and then pooling distribution records, TDMs were used to assess the distributions of amphibian communities along environmental gradients. Threatened species clustered into three complexes; arboreal specialists, understorey species and habitat specialists. TDMs predicted the spatial distribution of all species in the landscape, but that ability improved as species’ range sizes and distribution data decreased. Correlations between trait complexes and water deficit suggested high levels of climate vulnerability for Malagasy amphibians by 2085, particularly arboreal species. However, omission of habitat variables led to spatial over-prediction, by up to 60%, for specialised species under current climate conditions. Subsequent ‘climate+habitat’ models revealed that up to eight threatened amphibian species face heightened extinction risk from climate change. Species losses are concentrated in lowland and mid-altitudinal zones, with no projected losses of tropical montane species. TDMs can indicate habitat management at the community level and be part of conservation planning under projected climate change

Lies, Lyres, and Laughter in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes

With its flatulent hero, the Homeric Hymn to Hermes has long been a source of trouble for scholars. While early 20th century scholars dismissed the hymn as having no serious purpose, Clay (1989), Harrell (1991), and Johnston (2002) have discussed the acquisition of timê or questions of cult practice as its purpose

To Script Or Not To Script: Rethinking Pseudolus as Playwright

Christopher Bungard\u27s contribution to Helios, 41(4)

A Blast from the Ancient Past: Using Digital Storytelling in ‘Roman Perspectives’

Christopher Bumgard\u27s contribution to the CAMWS Annual Meeting: Waco, Texas. 2014