Mythology and the City in Ancient Greece

This module provides an introduction to the study of Antiquity by focusing on the mythological discourses of the the ancient Near East and Greece, and on the rise of the European city-state in Classical Greece. All texts are studied in translation. The module divides into two complementary streams: A Mythology and the Origins of Western Literature. These lectures are focused on ancient mythology, especially the concept of the pantheon of gods and the hero as a figure poised between men and gods, concentrating on literary and artistic evidence for the study of ancient society and thought. We will begin with evidence from Egypt, Mesopotamia and other Near Eastern civilizations, leading to an exploration of the earliest known European mythology and poetry written in Greek. B Politics, Culture and Society in the Ancient City These lectures will survey the history and culture of Ancient Greece, in the fifth and fourth centuries BC, a period of dynamic political and cultural innovation. These will be explored through a case-study of ancient Athens. The module will cover topics including the rise (and fall) of Greek democracy, art and architecture in fifth-century Athens, gender and sexuality, and the relationship between Greeks and barbarians. Students will be introduced to original sources for Greek history.