Ancient History
(offered by the Department of Classics and World Languages)
Telephone number 012 429 6725/6811
Introduction
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The courses in Ancient History comprise the History of the Ancient Near East, Greek History from pre-Homeric times to the death of Alexander the Great
(323 BC) and Roman History from Rome’s foundation (753BC) to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire (fifth century AD). A fundamental feature of
the syllabus in Ancient History is its hands-on approach in that students are familiarized with original source-material in translation and the opinions of
international scholars. The aim is two-fold: firstly, to allow students an insight into how reconstruction of past histories is ultimately reliant on a diversity
of sources which are open to multiple interpretations, and secondly, to enhance the students’ critical skills in order to be able to distinguish between
relevant and irrelevant information and to assess the relativity of established opinions.
General Information
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A knowledge of Greek (ancient) and Latin is NOT required for the study of Ancient History at undergraduate level, but students who wish to
continue with postgraduate studies in Ancient History are advised to include at least one first-level module in both Greek (ancient) and Latin in
their curriculum.
Students who wish to continue postgraduate studies in Ancient History must have done all the undergraduate modules at levels 2 and 3 in the
Ancient History stream.
Students who have passed ANH8226 and ANH202T will retain credit towards their degree.
Credit for a degree is granted for either ANH101 and 102 or AHS100.
Transitional Arrangements
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Study unit
passed
Modules which
may not be taken
Outstanding modules to
complete the old curriculum
AHS100
ANH101, 102
–
ANH201
CLS827
CLS821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826
ANH821
CLS826
CLS821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 827
ANH301
CLS824
CLS821, 822, 823, 825, 826, 827
ANH302
CLS825
CLS821, 822, 823, 824, 826, 827
ANH303
CLS821
CLS822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827
ANH304
CLS823
CLS821, 822, 824, 825, 826, 827
ANH305
CLS822
CLS821, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827
Students who have passed ANH822L will retain credit towards their degree.
Students who registered prior to 2007 and indicated that they wished to do a major in two of the following subjects – Ancient History, Classical
Culture, Greek (ancient) and Latin – must complete their major subjects under the old codes (as indicated below) before the end of 2010:
Current codes
Old code equivalent
CLS8216
ANH303X
CLS8228
ANH3053
CLS8239
ANH304Y
CLS824A
ANH301V
CLS825B
ANH302W
CLS826C
ANH821K
CLS827D
ANH201S
For advice students are asked to contact the Department.
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Ancient History as a Major Subject
Compulsory modules for a major subject combination:
First level:
Second and third level:
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ANH101, 102
CLS821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826 and 827 as floating modules. Students are advised to complete CLS826 and CLS827 before they
take up the remaining modules, which can be taken in any order.
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Syllabus
FIRST-LEVEL MODULES
ANH101P Near East and Greece (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to the history of the Ancient Near East from the earliest civilisations (3000 BC) to the fall of the Persian empire (330 BC) and
Greek history from the Homeric age to the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC).
ANH102Q Roman history (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to the political history of Rome, from its rise to empire to its fall in the 5th century AD.
SECOND- AND THIRD-LEVEL MODULES
Prerequisite: Two first level modules from Ancient History, or any other four first-level modules
Advice: Students are advised to complete CLS826 and 827 before they register for the remaining modules, which can be taken in any order.
CLS8216
Epic transformations (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to the notion of the epic or ‘monumental’, in reference to either a continuous, large-scale literary composition or a pivotal
historical event or period, where students of Ancient History will engage in a detailed study of the sources on the reign of Constantine the Great (AD306
to 337) and his conversion to Christianity.
CLS8228
Dramatic visions (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to drama, either off-stage or on-stage: real-life historical drama, or fictional drama on the comic and tragic stages. Ancient
History students will analyse the main factors in the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and examine reasons why the West fell, while the East remained
intact.
CLS8239
Ancient thought and practice (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to offer students access to ancient thought through ancient philosophy or democratic practice, by critical source analysis. Students in Ancient
History study the origins of Greek democracy and its implementation in 5th century Athens.
CLS824A
Historical encounters (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to the concept of history and the origins of historical thinking through the works of ancient historians and other prose
writers. Students in Ancient History would focus on the writings of Herodotus, Thucydides, and Tacitus, and their value as sources for our knowledge
of events in antiquity.
CLS825B
Power and empowerment (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to ancient texts, personalities and events related to power and its generation in various contexts (social, political, religious,
textual). Ancient History students focus on political figures and events in Greek history in the crucial period from Pericles to Philip of Macedon.
CLS826C
Cultural contexts (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to allow students to engage with the broad civilisation and specific cultural aspects of the ancient world through critical reading of the sources.
Reference to comparable issues in contemporary society, where applicable, gives this module a stimulating slant. Students of Ancient History will study
North African and Egypt in the Greco-Roman period.
CLS827D
Visual and verbal representations (S1 and S2)
Purpose: to introduce students to the Classical world through its art and architecture, visual source materials or the languages themselves. Students of
Ancient History will engage with the original source material (in translation) in the forms of texts, coins and inscriptions.
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