2024-25

The course introduces the student to prehistoric culture and lays emphasis on the Greek world. The historical survey covers all periods of prehistory, from the appearance of man to the Bronze Age. It includes matters such as the evolution of man and the material culture of the Paleolithic period both in the rest of Europe and in Greece, the culture of the Neolithic period in Greece and Bronze Age communities.

The course introduces students to aspects and areas of the splendid civilization that Byzantium developed.  The course examines various matters, such as Byzantine society, daily life in city and countryside, state administration, philanthropy, education, the Church, monasticism and the refulgence cast by Byzantium over her neighbours.  It also offers an analysis of medieval Greek literature and intellectual culture.  It does not, however, deal with the various art forms that reached a peak in Byzantium (These matters are dealt with in detail in courses concerning Byzantine art).

The course deals with the basic institutions of public and private life in the Classical and Hellenistic world.  It lays particular emphasis on groups in society that did not participate directly in the political life of the polis, that is, women, children and slaves.  Subjects dealt with in previous years include personal and state religion, family life, medicine and health, the economy of Greek city-states and warfare. 

On the successful completion of the course, the student will be acquainted with the basic structure of ancient Greek society and its chief features. 

The image of the Turk in Modern Greek Fiction (19th-20th century)