Ancient History, BA (Hons)

This course focuses on the political, social and cultural history of the Greek and Roman world, and their interactions with neighbouring societies. In your first year, you study core topics in Greek and Roman history, as well as a module focusing on ancient historical writing.These courses prepare you for a wide range of more focused modules about politics, culture and society in the ancient world available in your second and third years. The course includes the option of beginning to learn Greek or Latin language (or continuing, if you have studied the languages already).In the first year, you take an introductory module on ancient historiography:The Craft of the Ancient Historian.You will also take two interdisciplinary modules that serve to give you grounding in the central periods of Greek and Roman culture:Introduction to the Greek WorldMonuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus.Examples of optional modules:Beginners’ Latin or GreekIntermediate Latin or Greek (if you have an A level or equivalent)The Lives of ObjectsEarly Greek PhilosophyLanguage, Translation, Interpretation.Year 2Historical modules in the second year offer deeper and broader surveys of political and social history from the Greek and Roman worlds. You will take at least three ancient history modules in your second year.In addition, you can choose from a range of modules exploring literary, philosophical and cultural topics. If you choose to study Latin or Greek you may continue these courses in your second year. It is also possible to begin the study of Latin or Greek in the second year.Historical offerings have previously included:The Hellenistic WorldCrisis of The Roman RepublicEmperors and DynastiesDeath in the Classical WorldAncient Political Thought and ActionLiterary, cultural and philosophical topics have previously included:Traditions of EpicInterpreting Greek Tragedy TodayCreation and CosmologyStoicismDialogues with AntiquityClassical Receptions and Contemporary CulturesTheatre and Spectacle in Ancient Rome.Year 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad)You’ll write a Dissertation on a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3. Third-year modules typically cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff. At least two of your third-year modules must focus on ancient historical subjects; you can also choose from modules which explore cultural, literary and philosophical themes. If you study Latin and Greek you can proceed to the next level, with the texts becoming more difficult or fragmentary.Historical modules have previously included:Greeks and PersiansRoman SyriaWriting AlexanderThe Life and Times of CiceroUrbs RomaThe Later Roman EmpireLiterary, Philosophical and Cultural topics have previously included:The Literature and Language of Ancient BabylonComedy and Tragedy, Laughter & SorrowHellenistic Poetry: Theory and PracticeRoman Law and Latin LiteratureLove and Sex in Ancient PoetryTechnologies of Knowledge in AntiquityKnowledge and Doubt in Hellenistic PhilosophyYear 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad)You will write a Dissertation in your third year. You will choose a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3.Third-year modules typically cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff. At least two of your third-year modules must focus on ancient historical subjects; you can also choose from modules which explore cultural, literary and philosophical themes. If you study Latin and Greek you can proceed to the next level, with the texts becoming more difficult or fragmentary.This course includes an optional European Studies element, where students may spend the third year of a four-year course studying at a European university.