Highlights of the Ancient World

Overview courses

• The Classical Canon 1: The Heritage of Antiquity (UvA, course code 138110036Y)

  This course, which is taught in period 1, discusses works from ancient literature, archaeology, history, art and architecture that have reached a canonical status in Western culture, such as the Bible, the Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer, the site of Troy, the Athenian Acropolis and the Ara Pacis.

• The Decline and Fall of Rome (UvA , course code 138221056Y)

  Why did Rome fall? And why do writers and politicians from Edward Gibbon to Mark Rutte refer to it as a defining moment in Western history? This course (period 2) explores the causes and significance of the fall of the (Western) Roman Empire.

• Religion in Antiquity (UvA, course code 138221036Y)

  This course (period 3) deals with the main points and issues of religion in ancient Mesopotamia and the Greco-Roman world. The lectures give an overview of the deities, religious life, rituals and customs in these various cultures.

• Klassieke mythen en bijbelse verhalen (Optional, taught at VU, course code L_AABAALG073) (Dutch only)

  Today’s culture is full of references to biblical stories and Graeco-Roman myths. In this continuous course, which takes place during periods 1, 2 and 3, you will learn about the origin, context and function of these stories in Antiquity and their later reworking in different cultural-historical contexts and in various media: literature, visual arts, theatre, film and music. This course is taught in Dutch and will take place on VU Campus.

• Ancient Christianity (Optional, taught at VU, course code L_XCBAGLT202)

  During this course (period 2) the development of ancient Christianity will be traced in context. Different aspects will be highlighted: political, social, and cultural. Important conflicts during the first centuries will be discussed, as well as influential literary genres and visual representation. This course will take place on VU Campus.

• Classical Mythology (Optional, taught at UvA, course code 112222266Y)

  From the heroic deeds of Theseus to the exploits of the witch Medea, Greco-Roman mythology provides a treasure-trove of stories. In this course (period 4),  we explore ancient myth in many textual and visual forms, from epic to vase painting.

• Cradle of Civilisation? The History of Research into Archaeology and Antiquity (Optional, taught at UvA, course code 125221176Y)

  Taught in period 4, this course provides a better understanding of how the practice of archaeology and the study of antiquity have determined what we know about specific sites, periods and cultures and how this continues to influence our knowledge and perception of the past.

  The number of students in this elective is limited to 25.

   

• Classics beyond Antiquity (Optional, taught at UvA, course code 138121026Y)

  How have the Classics impacted Western art, literature and political thinking? From Greco-Roman sculpture to national origin myths and ideas of “empire” this course (taught in period 5),  discusses the influence of ancient culture in medieval, early modern and current times.

• Highlights uit de Griekse en Latijnse literatuur (Optional, taught at UvA, course code 125111316Y) (Dutch only)

  This course (period 5) provides a smorgasbord of the many literary forms produced by Greco-Roman Antiquity, ranging from Archaic epic and Hellenistic poetry to historiography, drama and philosophical letters. This course is taught in Dutch.