Year one course content
In year one you will be conducting period studies in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
The Greek period study will focus on relations between the Greek city-states, particularly Athens and Sparta, and between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire during the period 492–404 BCE. This will include learning about foreign and civil wars, peace treaties, power imbalances, betrayals, politics and how the Greek world was shaped both politically and socially.
The Roman period study will focus on the unfolding narrative of the establishment and development of the principate under Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. There will be a particular focus on the military, social and political achievements of the emperors and their treatment by the ancient sources. This will include looking into the religion, social policies, culture, wars, and role of women in the ancient Roman aristocracy.
Year two course content
In the second year, you will do an in-depth study in both the Greek and Roman worlds. This is intended to give you a more detailed look at a shorter time span in the history of both of these major empires. They require you to study significant individuals, societies, events and issues within the complexity of a historical event or situation, and the interplay of different factors such as military, political, religious, social, technological and cultural within that event or situation.
The Greek depth study will be on either The Politics and Society of Sparta, The Politics and Culture of Athens, or The rise of Macedon.
The Roman depth study will be on either The Breakdown of the Late Republic, The Flavians 68-96 CE, or Ruling Roman Britain, 43-128 CE.
