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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
77
Ancient history and
archaeology
COURSE CODE:
PLACES 2012:
POINTS 2011:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR001 (TSM)
23
390*-535*
B.A.
TSM points:
See page 27
Ancient history and archaeology cannot be studied as a
single honor course.
It must be combined with one other subject within the two-
subject moderatorship (TSM) programme. TSM is a joint
honor programme. An honors degree is awarded in both
subjects.
For subjects that combine with Ancient history and
archaeology see page 36.
See also:
TR003: History, page 72
TR012: History and political science, page 75
TR028: Ancient and medieval history and culture, page 74
Course overview
Ancient history and archaeology are both concerned with
understanding social, political and cultural experience in
the past. This course offers you the opportunity to range
across these two broad disciplines. You will study the Greek
and Roman worlds by working with historical and literary
documents alongside the material remains of ancient sites and
artefacts. You also explore Greek and Roman relationships
with neighbouring cultures, such as Egypt and the Near East,
within the Mediterranean and beyond. There are opportunities
to participate in archaeological fieldwork and in study tours
to classical sites. All material is studied in translation and no
knowledge of Greek or Latin is required.
Is this the right course for you?
You will enjoy this course if you are interested in studying
the history and culture of the Greeks and Romans – their
achievements and their profound influence on the modern world
– through the complementary study of history and archaeology.
Course content
Over your four years you will develop a broad understanding of
the ancient world through its history and archaeology, moving
from introductory courses in the first year, to more focused
thematic topics in the second and third years, and choosing from
a range of specialised options in your final year. The course is
taught through a mixture of lectures, practical classes and small-
group seminars, which encourage lively discussion and the
development of independent thinking.
The Junior Freshman year
In the Junior Freshman (first) year you will take three courses –
see below. There are approximately six hours of classes in the
Junior Freshman year.
n
Greek and Roman history
– an introductory survey of the
Greek and Roman world from the Greek Archaic age to the
early Roman Empire. The course covers topics such as
politics and power, the Athenian invention of democracy,
the rise of Alexander, the emergence of Rome as a major
imperial power, colonisation, war and conflict.
n
Greek and Roman art and architecture
– an introductory
survey of the development and major artistic achievements
in architecture, sculpture and painting. The course places art
and architecture in its social and political context; it focuses
on themes such as the use of narrative and mythology in art,
urbanisation, and on the development of architectural forms
such as temples, theatres and Roman baths.
n
Sources and evidence in history and archaeology
– an
introduction to the materials, methodologies and theories
employed by historians and archaeologists. This course
is specially designed to develop the practical, analytical
and critical skills required to assess ancient evidence. The
course mixes lectures with smaller seminars which focus on
discussion and hands-on work with artefacts.
The second and third years
Courses in the second and third years offer the opportunity
to focus on specific themes and periods in the history and
archaeology of the Mediterranean, develop a deeper awareness
of methods and theory, discuss key themes of relevance to both
the ancient and modern world, and to work with artefacts. Over
the two years you will study topics in: Greek archaeology and
history, Aegean Bronze Age archaeology, Roman archaeology
and history, and History and archaeology of Roman Britain.
There are also options to do practical archaeological work or an
approved study tour to the Mediterranean in place of a taught
course in these years. All the courses are taught by lectures and
small-group seminars.
In the Greek archaeology and history courses you explore major
themes such as colonisation, empire, the emergence of literacy,
slavery, war and ideology, religion, and social issues such as
sexuality, gender and death. These courses range in time from
the development of the Greek city-states, such as Athens and
Sparta, to the Hellenistic kingdoms founded in the wake of
Alexander. The Bronze Age course takes you back in time to the
early palatial civilisations of the Minoans and Mycenaeans.
In Roman history you will study imperial history from Augustus to
the emperor Constantine, examining the period from a number
of perspectives, from the emperors themselves to the lowliest of
slaves, and ranging from imperial politics and military strategy,
to economics and social concerns such as religion and rebellion.
Roman archaeology takes you the length and breadth of the
Roman world, exploring cities and urban life, frontiers and the
army, trade, transport and technology. In the Roman Britain
course you will assess the impact of Roman culture on Britain
as a remote Roman province and consider issues such as
imperialism, acculturation and identity.