This module is an introduction to the history of the ancient Near Eastern, Greek and Roman worlds in the period c. 1000 BCE to 323 BCE. Topics covered will include the cultural dominance of Persia, the emergence of city-states in Greece, and the rise to power of tyrants and the evolution of democracy in Athens. The module will also explore the early civilisations of Italy, the rise of Rome and the ascendancy of Macedon and the spread of Hellenic culture into the Near East under Alexander. You will explore and examine different sources available to historians, such as poetry, histories, inscriptions, and archaeological and visual evidence, and consider how we can use them to study political, economic, cultural, social and religious history. The module also focuses on the lives of men and women, warfare and the military, the role of religion in daily and civic life, artistic, intellectual, and scientific developments, and the cultural and political interactions of these ancient civilisations.  

LO1: Demonstrate a knowledge of the history and culture of the ancient Mediterranean and the Near East in the period c. 1000–323 BCE.  

LO2: Employ a range of sources for the history of the period, including poetry, histories, speeches, epigraphy, and visual and archaeological evidence.  

LO3: Analyse and evaluate different types of evidence for ancient history.  

LO4: Show awareness of modern interpretations of the history of the period.  

LO5: Work as a member of a group to design and deliver an oral presentation with appropriate visual aids.  

20 lectures and weekly small group seminars; independent study.  

The lectures introduce a particular topic, establishing the key points of major course themes, identifying important issues, and providing guidance for more in-depth reading. In the seminars, students are guided to analyse and discuss key issues, topics and sources, and to get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Some sessions will focus on essential skills for the assessed work. Details of material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the meetings.  

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for the major themes of the module.  

Academic skills:  

• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence (through written work  and class participation)   

• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate (through written work, class participation and group presentation)   

• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of evidence, including appropriate practices for attribution and issues around copyright (through written work)   

Subject-specific skills:  

• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas (through written work and class participation)   

• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions (through written work and class participation)   

• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of evidence, including appropriate practices for attribution and issues around copyright (through written work)   

• bibliographic and referencing skills (through written work)   

Transferable skills:  

• Problem solving   

• Creative and independent thought   

• Development and defence of evidence-based argument   

• Presentation skills (oral and written)   

• Team/group work   

• using IT resources effectively   

• Independent working and time management 

The module will be assessed through a 1500-word essay (50%), an exam (30%), and a 10 minute group presentation (20%).  

The essay question will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and an awareness of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to the period studied (LO1, LO2, LO4). Students will also have to complete a formative bibliographic exercise related to their essay topic, in preparation for researching and writing the essay.  

The exam, which takes the form of analysis of multiple sources, requires knowledge of specific pieces of evidence and the ability to assess their value as historical evidence (LO3, LO4). 

In the group presentation specific written or material sources relating to the history of the period will be set, and students will have to assess their significance, thus demonstrating their knowledge of the period and interpretations of it. The group presentation addresses LO2 and LO5, and allows students to practise their presentation skills in the expression of key issues and contexts related to a specific topic and to develop the ability to work in groups effectively.  

The opportunity for reassessment in this module  

Reassessment will take the form of a reassessment of the failed component(s) unless further specified.. Resit essays or source analyses will be based on a different topic or source than the one submitted previously. A student who needs to resit the presentation will give a 5-minute presentation on the same topic, which they can record on Panopto.  

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

A typical semester might include:  

Near Eastern empires  

Homeric society  

Near Eastern epics and Homeric resonances  

Culture, life and thought in Greece and the Near East  

Persia and its empire  

Greek-Persian Wars  

Tyranny  

Colonization of the western Mediterranean (Greek and Phoenician)  

War and expansion  

Gender  

Ethnicity  

Democracy in Athens  

Early Italy  

The rise of Rome  

Macedon under Philip II  

Alexander of Macedon  

The fall of the Achaemenid Empire