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Hero Twins of the Americas

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - 6:00pm

Rotunda
University of Pennsylvania Museum
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Hero Twins of the Americas: Myths of Origin, Duality, and Vengeance

Dr. Megan Kassabaum, Weingarten Assistant Curator, American Section
Dr. Simon Martin, Associate Curator / Keeper, American Section

Myths concerning the “hero twins” are widespread from Canada to South America. In the archetypal Maya myth, a pair of twin brothers battle with a range of monsters and death deities as they seek to make the world safe for humankind. Instead of defeating their enemies in trials of strength, they outwit them in games of skill, ingenuity, and magic, offering role models of how best to survive death and ultimately attain rebirth into the sky. A variety of myths throughout North America draw on these same themes but differ dramatically in the details, thereby demonstrating the incredible antiquity of the basic story and the relationships between the diverse cultures of the New World.

"Great Myths and Legends" lecture series.

Admission $10 At-the-door; $5 Single Lecture, Advance Ticket; $2 Penn Museum Members Advance Ticket
$40 Series Subscription; $15 Penn Museum Members Series Subscription
To get the member discount online, you must log in as a member on the ticketing site.
Member discount applies only to the amount of persons on your membership core benefits.

For more information, see Penn Museum Events Calendar.