Ancient History

Our wide-ranging and inclusive Ancient History degree focuses upon a period extending from the eighth-century BCE ‘beginnings’ of Greek history to the fall of Alexandria in 641 CE.

During your degree, you'll explore:

a broad range of historical questions relating to Greek and Roman history
the interactions of Greeks and Romans with neighbouring or conquered peoples
a time of widespread mobility, intercultural contact, and exchange
The areas covered will include:

the Mediterranean world
Central and Northern Europe, including Britain
beyond (e.g., Graeco-Roman Egypt, Babylon, or the steppe regions north of the Euxine/Black Sea)
You'll focus on ideas of power, identity, religion, and culture along with the histories and experiences of historically marginalised groups.

You'll learn how to work with a wide range of evidence, including:

historical texts
inscriptions
papyri
coins
art
architecture

You can also choose to study ancient Greek and Latin, from Beginners or intermediate level. You'll be learning and working alongside internationally recognised experts. That will provide you with the opportunity to specialise in the topics relating to our various areas of expertise.

Our areas of expertise include:

the history of Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Greece
interactions between Greeks and non-Greek ‘barbarians’
Alexander the Great
Hellenistic kingship
the Roman Republic and the High Empire
Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt
Late Antiquity
relations between pagans and Christians
ancient literacy and mathematics
the experiences of immigrants, women, children, and enslaved people
Greek and Roman religion
Roman Law

Our dedicated research modules will enable you to develop and further hone a broad set of aptitudes and abilities including:

a sense of empathy
curiosity
the ability to think creatively and reflexively
working independently