Devon Allen
I am extremely passionate about ancient cultures and religion, particularly how they are shown in a heritage context.
I have spent the last year volunteering in a variety of curatorial, conservation and visitor experience museum and archive departments in order to gain all the necessary skills to begin a career in heritage. Through this I have learnt about how to use multiple museum systems, accessioning and handling collections, curating my own exhibitions as well as working with members of the public and leading them around the museum.
In January 2019 I founded Hereditatem Magazine. This is an online blog/magazine where I write features on museums around the UK as well as review both current and past heritage exhibitions.
I have both a MA in Classical Studies from The University of Leeds, and a LLB Law (Hons) degree from The University of Huddersfield. I have also given several research papers on the connections between a ‘mermaid’ and a variety of ancient mythology. I was featured in a radio documentary on this topic, as part of a final year students’ project at The University of Salford.
I have spent the last year volunteering in a variety of curatorial, conservation and visitor experience museum and archive departments in order to gain all the necessary skills to begin a career in heritage. Through this I have learnt about how to use multiple museum systems, accessioning and handling collections, curating my own exhibitions as well as working with members of the public and leading them around the museum.
In January 2019 I founded Hereditatem Magazine. This is an online blog/magazine where I write features on museums around the UK as well as review both current and past heritage exhibitions.
I have both a MA in Classical Studies from The University of Leeds, and a LLB Law (Hons) degree from The University of Huddersfield. I have also given several research papers on the connections between a ‘mermaid’ and a variety of ancient mythology. I was featured in a radio documentary on this topic, as part of a final year students’ project at The University of Salford.
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Conference Presentations by Devon Allen
Abstract for the paper:
This paper will examine the connection between the mythological character of a 'siren' and the folkloric type of a 'mermaid'. While Prof. William Hansen is the leading authority on the connection between mythological and folkloric narratives in general; I will examine the relationship between these figures and identify if there is evidence that the folklore legend has become convoluted with mythological figures.
There are currently no known text references that are focused exclusively on the 'sirens', however they're mentioned in some detail in Greek epics such as the Odyssey as well as Latin collections like the Metamorphoses. By studying the Greek and Latin equivalents of a 'siren' simultaneously, we are able to see a character development that leads to a type that is already extremely similar to a 'mermaid'; a female group with exceptional singing voices who pose a great risk to male naval travellers who encounter them. In order to fully confirm the existence of an ancient influence over 'mermaid' lore, it is important to also include examples of Eastern mythology. For instance, both Babylonian and Assyrian cultures held references to gods who took the form of a fish-human hybrid. These characters, along with other water-related Greek figures such as the 'nereids' and the story of Thessalonike, amount to the modern 'mermaid' story to which we are familiar.
This paper aims to give cause to show that the folkloric figure of a 'mermaid' has been taken directly from a variety of ancient sources without much modern adaptation or influence.
Papers by Devon Allen
Abstract for the paper:
This paper will examine the connection between the mythological character of a 'siren' and the folkloric type of a 'mermaid'. While Prof. William Hansen is the leading authority on the connection between mythological and folkloric narratives in general; I will examine the relationship between these figures and identify if there is evidence that the folklore legend has become convoluted with mythological figures.
There are currently no known text references that are focused exclusively on the 'sirens', however they're mentioned in some detail in Greek epics such as the Odyssey as well as Latin collections like the Metamorphoses. By studying the Greek and Latin equivalents of a 'siren' simultaneously, we are able to see a character development that leads to a type that is already extremely similar to a 'mermaid'; a female group with exceptional singing voices who pose a great risk to male naval travellers who encounter them. In order to fully confirm the existence of an ancient influence over 'mermaid' lore, it is important to also include examples of Eastern mythology. For instance, both Babylonian and Assyrian cultures held references to gods who took the form of a fish-human hybrid. These characters, along with other water-related Greek figures such as the 'nereids' and the story of Thessalonike, amount to the modern 'mermaid' story to which we are familiar.
This paper aims to give cause to show that the folkloric figure of a 'mermaid' has been taken directly from a variety of ancient sources without much modern adaptation or influence.