Orality and Literacy in the Ancient World X: Tradition, Transmission, and Adaptation

Registration is from 3:00-4:00 pm with opening events from 4-9:30 pm in various locations.

Registration is $120/$60 for students
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Papyrology Exhibit: Orality and Literacy in Greek and Roman Egypt

This conference explores the transmission of texts and information in antiquity, through time and space, orally and in writing. Sometimes both form and content were retained, but were placed in a new context; often both were profoundly transformed. This iteration of the biennial conference on Orality and Literacy will consider the differences between oral and written transmissions, as well as their interactions. When knowledge crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries, does it matter whether it is transmitted orally or in writing? Are written texts always less fluid than oral performances? How should we think about the different kinds of writing as methods of transmitting information, from the wax tablet to the monumental inscription?

The conference will include an excursion to Detroit and a session introducing Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) oral tradition, and an opportunity to visit the University of Michigan's renowned papyrus collection.