In History 200, we investigate ancient Greek history from the Bronze Age until the advent of Roman domination (ca. 1500 to 146 BCE). This is a course in which we follow the lead of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, and inquire into the past (historian in Greek originally meant inquiry!) We use ancient evidence to look into a range of issues that emerge in the course of early Greek history: the nature of interactions between Greeks and other ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean, Near East, and North Africa; political developments in Greek city-states (especially Athens and Sparta); the tensions between local identities and common Greek identity; gender and sexuality, freedom and slavery in Greek politics and society. We do all this while holding up modern interpretations of the ancient Greek past and its legacy to critical re-examination, with the aim of better equipping ourselves to evaluate claims about ancient civilizations and what the ancient Greeks might mean for us now. Readings include ancient texts in translation and modern scholarship. The course consists of lectures and sections in which students make critical use of sources to discuss and debate historical questions. The final grade is based on two tests, two writing assignments, and participation in discussions and lectures. Everyone is welcome. No special background is required for this course.

Class Format:

The course consists of lectures and sections in which students make critical use of sources to discuss and debate historical questions.