The Greek World

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor: to be confirmed
  
• Tutor: Dr Benjamin Gray
• Assessment: a 500-word source analysis (30%), a bibliography of at least 10 items (20%) and four 500-word essays (50%)

In this module you will gain a basic knowledge of the history of the Greek world, placing it within developments in the eastern Mediterranean. The focus will be on classical and early Hellenistic Greek history (sixth and third centuries).

Our lectures are arranged thematically and chronologically, and are followed by classes focusing on a particular aspect of the subject or dealing with related sources (e.g. religion, gender, slavery, politics). You will be introduced to different kinds of evidence from the ancient world, including texts, archaeological remains and art.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction: the world of the polis
• The sixth century: legislators and tyrants
• East and west: Ionian Greeks and the Persian wars
• The Athenian Empire
• Athenian democracy
• Men and women
• Spartan society
• Greek slavery
• Greek religion
• The Hellenistic world

By the end of this module, you will:

• have an understanding of the key issues in ancient Greek history
• be able to discuss the history, culture and politics of the ancient world.