Jennifer Gates-Foster

The Hellenistic period spans the 300 years between the rule of Alexander the Great (336-323 BCE) until 31 BCE, the date of the defeat by Roman forces of the last Hellenistic monarch, Cleopatra VII (along with Antony), at the Battle of Actium. During this time, Greek culture spread far beyond the boundaries of the Classical World to places and peoples as far distant as Egypt, Afghanistan and even India. This encounter with other civilizations altered Greek culture forever and left a lasting impact on these lands and peoples. In this course, we will focus on the transformations that occurred in the Hellenistic East, where lands previously governed by the Achaemenid Persians were ruled by Greek monarchs who deliberately blended their own Greek traditions with those of their new subjects. We will focus on the art, archaeology and social history of the period, including discussions of Macedonia, Pergamon, Alexandria and Babylon as well as changing conventions in sculpture, painting and language in the Hellenistic era.

Texts:

The Hellenistic Age: A Short History (Modern Library Chronicles) Peter Green. ISBN 978-0812967401

Hellenistic Art: From Alexander the Great to Augustus (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum), Lucilla Burn. 2005. ISBN 978-0892367764

The Hellenistic World from Alexander to the Roman Conquest: A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation, M. M. Austin. 2006 ed. ISBN 978-0521828604

The vibrant history of Egypt did not end when it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. Rather, the rich traditions of Pharaonic Egypt came together with the customs and culture of her Greek and, later, Roman conquerors to create a complex and lively society that incorporated the religious, economic, and personal practices of both native Egyptian and Mediterranean peoples. In this course, we will explore the archaeological and historical evidence for life in Egypt between 332 BCE and 324 CE when the transformation of the Roman Empire ushered in the Late Antique era, marking significant changes in Egypt, as in the rest of the Roman Empire. Using primary documents, mainly papyri, and archaeological sites and objects, we will examine the role of Egypt’s new rulers and the religious beliefs, daily life, and burial practices of everyday people, including women and children. In doing so, we will explore the ways that Egypt’s rich Pharaonic heritage persisted in the face of foreign rule and the new forms of art and architecture that emerged from sustained contact between Egypt and the culture of her new rulers.

Required:

Livia Capponi, Roman Egypt. Classical World Series. London: Bristol Classical Press, 2010. ISBN 9781853997266.

Rowlandson, Jane (ed). Women and Society in Greek and Roman Egypt: A Sourcebook. Cambridge University Press. 1998. 978-0521588157

Corbelli, Judith. The Art of Death in Graeco-Roman Egypt. Shire Publications. 2006. 978-0747806479

Ellis, Simon. Graeco-Roman Egypt. Shire Publications. 2008. 978-0747801580.

Recommended:

Shaw, Ian. Ancient Egypt: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. 2004. 978-0192854193

Survey of ancient civilizations of the Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome from ca. 3000 BCE to the seventh century CE, focusing on the development of ideas and institutions in these areas and on the active cultural exchange among the diverse civilizations of the broader region that shaped their history and cultural identity. Topics to be covered include the development of writing systems, literary traditions and civic institutions, as well as evidence for religious and cultural practices.

This course carries a Global Cultures flag; it may also be counted as an elective.

Requirements/Grading Basis: Two hour exams: 30% Final exam (partially comprehensive): 30% Quizzes: 20% Discussion section participation: 20%

This course will examine the long history of contact between Greek and Persian culture in the Mediterranean and Near East through the examination of ancient texts and archaeological sources.  Topics to be covered include the Persian Wars, Alexander the Great in the East, and the consideration of the art and architecture of Athens, Persepolis, Sardis and the Greek colonies in Asia Minor. 

This course carries a Global Cultures flag; it may also be counted as an elective. No prerequisites.

Texts will be read in translation. 

Survey of ancient civilizations of the Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome from ca. 3000 BCE to the seventh century CE, focusing on the development of ideas and institutions in these areas and on the active cultural exchange among the diverse civilizations of the broader region that shaped their history and cultural identity. Topics to be covered include the development of writing systems, literary traditions and civic institutions, as well as evidence for religious and cultural practices.

This course carries a Global Cultures flag; it may also be counted as an elective.

Requirements/Grading Basis: Two hour exams: 30% Final exam (partially comprehensive): 30% Quizzes: 20% Discussion section participation: 20%

This course will examine the long history of contact between Greek and Persian culture in the Mediterranean and Near East through the examination of ancient texts and archaeological sources.  Topics to be covered include the Persian Wars, Alexander the Great in the East, and the consideration of the art and architecture of Athens, Persepolis, Sardis and the Greek colonies in Asia Minor. 

This course carries a Global Cultures flag; it may also be counted as an elective. No prerequisites.

Texts will be read in translation. 

The vibrant history of Egypt did not end when it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. Rather, the rich traditions of Pharaonic Egypt came together with the customs and culture of her Greek and, later, Roman conquerors to create a complex and lively society that incorporated the religious, economic, and personal practices of both native Egyptian and Mediterranean peoples. This seminar will explore the archaeological and historical evidence for life in Egypt between 332 BCE and 642 CE when Egypt was surrendered to invading Arab forces by the Byzantine Empire. Using primary documents, mainly papyri, and archaeological sites and objects, we will examine the role of Egypt’s new rulers, the government and economy, religious beliefs, daily life, and changing burial practices as well as a number of other topics. The course will be organized around readings, critical discussion and class presentations. The seminar will culminate in the completion and presentation of a seminar paper.

See Attached

Everyone knows about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but how many people can actually name them or even say where they were located? These feats of engineering, artistic and architectural majesty were spread across the ancient world from Babylon to Egypt to Greece. Many of them are now lost, but others remain. In this course we will explore the physical evidence for the Seven Wonders and also consider their cultural context and historical importance, as well as their significance for later writers and travelers. We will use these objects, sites and monuments to explore issues related to the study of the ancient past, but also the reception of that past in the modern era. Classes will combine lecture and discussion. Students will be required to present in class and to conduct a research project. The course has no prerequisites. It carries a Global Cultures flag and may be counted as an elective.