The Values of Nighttime in Classical Antiquity: Between Dusk and Dawn

In Ancient Greece And Rome, Nighttime Encompassed A Distinctive Array Of Cultural Values That Went Far Beyond The Inversion Of Daytime. Night Was A Mythological Figure, A Focus Of Specialized Knowledge, A Socially Significant Semantic Space In Various Literary Genres, And A Setting For Unique Experiences. These Facets Of Night Are Explored Here Through Fifteen Case-studies, With Topics Ranging From Night In Hesiod To Imperial Roman Painting And Cultural History. The Contributors Took Part In A Conference On This Theme At The University Of Pennsylvania In 2018, Where They Pursued A Common Goal: To Consider How Nighttime Was Employed In The Ascription Of Specific Values-in Determining What Values A Thing Or A Person Might Have, Or Not-- Provided By Publisher.