Voyage literature and classical myths with Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut

About this episode

The episode features Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut discussing medieval Irish voyage literature and its classical inspirations.

This week we are joined by the brilliant Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut, Associate Lecturer in Latin and in the History of the British Isles, c .1100-1500, University of St Andrews, author of Classical Myth in Medieval Ireland. We learn all about the immrama, medieval Irish voyage literature, and where medieval Irish authors found their inspiration. Dr Ehrmantraut takes us through the otherworldly adventures of Bran, Brendan and Máel Dúin, explains why Irish authors loved the Latin poetry of Vergil and Lucan, and demonstrates how many classical texts went on to have vibrant afterlives and inspired new authors and audiences during the Middle Ages. Suggested reading: - Clarke MJ, (ed.), Torrance I, (ed.), Poppe E, (ed.), Classical Antiquity and Medieval Ireland: An Anthology of Medieval Irish Texts and Interpretations (London, 2024) Find it Open Access here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/classical-antiquity-and-medieval-ireland-9781350333277/ - Ehrmantraut, Brigid, 'Vergil, voyage tales, and medieval Irish classicism revisited', Peritia 36 (2026) 191–217. -Ehrmantraut, Brigid, Classical myth in medieval Ireland (Cambridge, 2025) Regular episodes every month (on a Friday) Email…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut

Topics covered

• medieval Irish literature
• voyage literature
• classical myths
• Irish authors
• inspiration in literature

Keywords

• immrama
• Bran
• Brendan
• Máel Dúin
• Latin poetry
• Vergil
• Lucan
• medieval Ireland
• classical texts

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of St Andrews

Books & works: Classical Myth in Medieval Ireland, Vergil, Lucan, Classical Antiquity and Medieval Ireland: An Anthology of Medieval Irish Texts and Interpretations, Vergil, voyage tales, and medieval Irish classicism revisited

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