Classics 371
Ancient History: Greece
Full course for one semester. A chronological survey of archaic and
classical Greek history and civilization from the traditional
foundation of the Olympic games in 776 BCE to the fall of the
Athenian empire in 404 BCE. After beginning with a brief look at
Bronze and Dark Age Greece, we will cover the following topics: the
rise of the polis; Greek colonization; the "Age of Revolution,"
warfare, aristocracy, and the spread of tyranny; the rise of Athens
and Sparta; the Persian Wars; the development of Athenian democracy
and Athens’ empire; the causes and course of the Peloponnesian War;
the development of ethnography and historical inquiry; and the
nature of Greek social relations with an emphasis on slavery and
gender dynamics in Athens and Sparta. Emphasis is placed on the
interpretation of ancient evidence, including primary literary
works, inscriptions, and relevant archaeological material.
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference. Cross-listed as History 391.
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