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Lectures & Events

Sailing to Samothrace and the Sanctuary of the Great Gods

with Dr Heather Sebo
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Event: Free Online Lecture: Travel Tuesdays
Duration: 1 Hour
Start time: 5:00 PM AEST

Sailing to Samothrace and the Sanctuary of the Great Gods by Dr Heather Sebo

For nearly a thousand years from about 600 BCE onwards, travellers and pilgrims came from all over the Mediterranean world to the remote, windswept island of Samothrace to be initiated into the mystery cult of the Great gods. In the sanctuary deep under Mt. Fengari, to the sound of rushing water, by the light flaring torches and moonlight, initiates experienced a “shivering awe” of the gods. The ceremonies were conducted in an unknown non- Greek ancient language and continued until dawn.  Over time, the sanctuary attracted the patronage of the Macedonian Kings who embellished it with some of the most splendid and extravagant  buildings of the Hellenistic world.
This talk will explore what is known about the rituals on Samothrace and the promises that drew pilgrims to participate. It will also set these rituals in the wider mythic and religious culture of  Ancient Macedonia.

Dr Heather SeboHeather completed her PhD in the Department of Classics at the University of Melbourne in the field of Greek Myth and Drama. She is an Honorary Associate in Classics at La Trobe University and is currently coordinating the subject “Classical Myth” and lecturing in the Centre for Classics and Ancient History. Her lectures associated with these courses on itunes U have been extremely popular. Heather is also Performance Consultant in Ancient Drama at Complete Works Theatre Company.

Before committing to an academic career, Heather had a long history in secondary and community education as a teacher, examiner and in curriculum development. She also recalls with great pleasure her time as curator of a significant private collection of Greek and Roman and has maintained a strong engagement with the visual arts. Heather has become well known as a guest lecturer in venues ranging from the Red Stitch Theatre to the National Gallery of Victoria.

Heather leads the following ASA tours:

Image Credit: Temple of the Great Gods at Samothraki island in Greece. Image ID: 20248706 Copyright Panagiotis Karapanagiotis | Dreamstime.com