This course is a survey of Greek history from the Archaic period to the fourth century. We will focus on primary sources, reading Homer’s Iliad, selections from the histories of Thucydides and Herodotus, as well as selected Greek Tragedies, Comedies, and actual speeches delivered in Athenian courts of law.
We shall cover a range of topics including the interrelationship between religion and law; the rise of the city-state and the growth of the Athenian Empire; the birth, implosion, and re-birth of Athenian democracy; slavery; violence in Athenian society and culture; and many other subjects, which we shall address through combination of lecture and discussion.
This course WILL NOT swamp you with names and dates and maps and technical terms. Our goal is to read primary sources critically, think historically, write creatively, discuss boldly, and to engage with a remote culture in a way that is meaningful, rewarding, and fun.