Exegetes

Exegetes Program

The objective of our Exegetes program is to create a pool of members who are deeply knowledgeable on specific subjects (or deities) and willing to be community resources.

In antiquity, an exegetes [ἐξηγητής, ex-eh-YEE-tees] was an advisor, an expounder, an interpreter, especially of oracles, dreams, or omens. And in Athens, the exegetes was an expert of sacred rites or customs such as modes of burial, expiation, and so on. They were “spiritual directors” (LSJ). In Hellenion, a Exegetes is someone who has become an expert on a carefully defined area or subject of Hellenic religious practice.

Examples of subjects that a student may pursue include:

  • One of the Olympians, Chthonic deities, their cultus or worship
  • Demi-immortals such as Nymphs, Satyrs, etc.
  • The part certain social mores of ancient Greece played in the religious practices
  • History
  • Poets or poetry
  • Philosophers
  • Arts
  • Other

The choices are not limited to the ones listed above. The student can refine their area of study in consultation with an Education Committee member.

No matter what subject the learner chooses, the Exegetes Program has certain requirements that are in line with an undergraduate final thesis. These requirements are in two parts:

Part One: Introductory Section

This section has three parts:

  1. An outline stating what the student intends to accomplish (3-5 pages).
  2. An essay of 1,250 to 2,500 words (5 to 10 pages double spaced), detailing what the student intends to study.

Both outline and essay should discuss what sections the work and research will have.

III. An annotated bibliography listing 5-10 primary sources and 6-12 secondary sources.

Annotations should describe how each source pertains to the project the student is considering.

Part Two: First Draft

The first draft should contain:

  1. A well-developed thesis statement.
  2. A properly formatted essay of approximately 3,000 to 3,750 words (12 to 15 double-spaced pages) with correct citations.

Part Three: Final Draft

The final draft should contain:

  1. Cover page.
  2. Essay of 5,000 to 6,250 words (20 to 25 double-spaced pages).
  • Annotated bibliography.

All written work should be in current MLA format, information about which is available at the Purdue OWL, MLA Formatting and Style Guide – Purdue OWL® – Purdue University

Writing should be at the post-secondary level and show clarity and the proper use of terminology. Spelling and grammar are evaluated as part of the final mark.

[Note: the exact rubric for the final mark is still under discussion.]

The Education Committee may request revisions before approving the submission.

Once the Education Committee accepts the final submission, the student may refer to themselves as Hellenion Exegetes of ________ (area of study).

Apply to the Exegete Program here.