Code 24046
Level of study First Year
Credit value 20
Semester Every year 1 and 2
Pre-requisite modules none
Other pre-requisites none
The module provides an introduction to key aspects of Greek and Roman antiquity.
On this module you will be able to engage with:
key aspects of Classical Greek history and society
key aspects of Republican and early Imperial Roman history and society
You will look at the evolution of the two societies through a series of lectures and classes that are designed to introduce you to a range of textual material including histories (including Thucydides and Livy), biographies (including Suetonius and Plutarch) and polemics (Philo’s embassy to Gaius) as well as to demonstrate the different methodological approaches to this material.
Lectures will provide the general context for the society and history whilst the small group classes will focus on episodes where there is considerable debate – for instance the Spartacan Slave War, whether Caesar desired kingship or Judaism and the worship of the emperors. The classes will be the key opportunity for you to engage in debate, in a supportive atmosphere, with other students and a course tutor and are framed around your reading of specific material.
In semester 1 you will examine many topics including Classical Greece, primarily Athens and Sparta, the development of hoplite warfare, the Persian wars, democracy, the role of women and Alexander the Great.
Semester 2 will introduce you to key themes in ancient Rome including: the rise of the Roman empire, the relationship between Rome, Greece and the Carthaginians, changes in Roman society and class conflict, Roman religion, the destruction of the Republic and the creation of the Imperial system.