AB, Princeton University
MA, University of Chicago
PhD, University of Chicago
Geoffrey Benson
Associate Professor of the Classics; Chair, Department of the Classics
Department/Office Information
ClassicsEducation
Interests
- Ancient Greek and Latin Language and Literature
- Apuleius’ Golden Ass and the Ancient Novels
- Religion and Philosophy in the Roman Empire
- Literary aspects of scientific texts from the ancient world
Publications
Book
- Apuleius’ Invisible Ass: Encounters with the Unseen in the Metamorphoses (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Articles and Chapters
- “Archimedes the Poet: Generic Innovation and Mathematical Fantasy in the Cattle Problem.” Arethusa 47.2 (2014): 169-196.
- “Seeing Demons: Autopsy in Maximus of Tyre’s Oration 9 and its Absence in Apuleius’ On the God of Socrates.” Ramus 45.1 (2016): 102-131.
- “Cupid and Psyche and the Illumination of the Unseen.” In E. Cueva, G. Schmeling, P. James, K. Ní Mheallaigh, S. Panayotakis, and N. Scippacercola (eds.), Re-Wiring the Ancient Novel, Volume 2: Roman Novels and Other Important Texts, Ancient Narrative Supplement 24.2. Groningen: Barkhuis & Groningen University Library, 2018. 85-115.
- “Psyche the Psychotic: Cupid and Psyche in Dr. Franz Riklin’s Wishfulfilment and Symbolism in Fairytales.” In Regine May and Stephen Harrison, eds., Cupid and Psyche: The Reception of Apuleius’ Love Story since 1600, Trends in Classics – Pathways of Reception, Vol. 1, Berlin: De Gruyter, 2020. 273-288.
Distinctions
- John J. Winkler Prize (Honorable Mention)
- Century Fellowship (University of Chicago)
- Phi Beta Kappa (Princeton)
- Stinnecke Prize (Princeton)