HIST2067 Ancient Greece and Rome: History, Art and Archaeology

The topic explores the history of Ancient Greece and Rome from the Archaic and Classical periods, through the Alexander the Great and Hellenistic kingdoms and-on the other side of the Adriatic Sea-the Etruscans, Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and the Empire. After engaging in a background survey of the Bronze Age and early Iron Age foundations of the Greek city-states the topic examines the developments in Ancient Greece, with particular emphasis on Athens and Sparta, with themes including philosophy, literature, art, theatre, the role of women, militarism and international relations.

During the second part of the semester the history of Rome from the early republic to the collapse of the Western Empire in the fifth century CE are examined, including a general survey of Roman history with a focus on a variety of key themes, including the republican system of government, women in Rome, the significance of the military, ancient hygiene, Roman culture, slavery, the rise of Christianity, crises of the later. The topic will conclude with a consideration of the reception of Antiquity from the middle ages, through the time of the Grand Tour up to the present focusing on impacts that the study of Ancient Greece and Rome had and have on development of philosophy, art, architecture, popular culture, legislation and form of government.

This topic aims to:

• Provide students with a basic understanding of art, archaeology and history of Ancient Greece and Rome
• Provide students with an appreciation of the impact of Antiquity on popular cultural from the Enlightenment period to today
• Address the relationships between culture, history, art, architecture and material objects of Ancient Greece and Rome in diverse range of contexts (e.g. sites, museums, public spaces such as monuments or cemeteries, private collections)
• Examine the variety of primary sources (in English translations) and compare them with other types of evidence (archaeological, artistic, cultural, environmental)
• Develop critical thinking, debating, and written and presentation skills

1. Explain the problems associated with the use of 'primary' sources in translation and use these sources critically for historical research
2. Assess the range and scope of recent scholarship on Ancient Greece and Rome then analyse and critically evaluate these sources for historical research
3. Defend their knowledge and understanding of the social, political, intellectual and economic factors that shaped Greek and Roman history
4. Evaluate the relevance of Ancient Greece and Roman cultural history in development of European and other cultures
5. Interpret a primary source in its political and social context