Ancient History

If you are fascinated by the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome and keen to develop transferable skills such as critical analysis then this course is for you.

Taught by a variety of internationally recognised experts, Ancient History offers the opportunity to study the history of Greece and Rome in the Classical period (600 BCE to 700 CE). Over three years you will delve into the politics, events and developments underpinning our understanding of many aspects of historical societies and, indeed, our own culture. You will explore themes, key periods and problems in Greek and Roman history, such as the emergence (and fall) of democracy and the rise, decline and fall of Empires.

You will build skills and knowledge from day one. In year two, the experience of historical periods will be deepened and widened and you will develop skills in research and concentrate on your individual interests, which will culminate in specialist studies and individual research projects in year three. As you build knowledge and understanding of a formative and fascinating period of world history, you will have the opportunity to study in other areas of the curriculum, notably: archaeology, literature, philosophy and language.

There is also the possibility of spending a year abroad, experiencing the profound effect these classical cultures have had on history, culture and politics.

As a student of Ancient History you will be part of our Classics Department, where the quality of research that informs our teaching and a friendly, individual approach which shapes the way we guide our students combine to create an unbeaten academic experience.

• Explore key themes and problems such as the rise, decline and fall of Empires.

• Opportunities to study archaeology, literature, philosophy and language.

• Develop your research and reasoning skills.

• Choose to specialise in Greek or Roman history, or both.

• Assessment by written exams and coursework.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

• Greek History and the City State

• Key Themes in Roman History

• Studying Classical Antiquity

Year 2

• The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic

• Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus

• Greek History to 322 BC

• Spinning the Past: Greek Historiography from Herodotos to Diodoros

• Historiography of the Roman World

Year 3

• Extended Essay (Dissertation)

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

• Beginner’s Greek

• Intermediate Greek

• Greek Language and Reading

• Beginner's Latin

• Intermediate Latin

• Latin Language and Reading

• Introduction to Greek Literature

• Roman Literature of the Empire

• Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

• Introduction to Greek Archaeology

• Introduction to Roman Archaeology

• Advanced Greek

• Advanced Latin

Year 2

• Intensive Greek

• Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture

• Homer (In Translation)

• Greek Drama (In Translation)

• Virgil’s Aeneid: The Empire in the Literary Imagination

• Augustus: Propaganda and Power

• The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy

• Second Year Projects

• Advanced Latin

• Advanced Greek

• Intensive Latin

• From Dig to Digital: Archaeological Theory, Method and Practice

• Tacitus and the Making of Empire

• Life in the Big City

• Athenian Law and Social History

Year 3

• Further Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture

• Augustus

• The Rise of the Roman Empire: An Economic and Social history

• Alexander the Great

• The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy II

• Understanding Pompeii and Herculaneum

• City of Athens

• Advanced Greek

• Advanced Latin

• Athenian Law and Social History

• Christians and Pagans from Constantine to Augustine (AD 306-430)

• Contemporary Approaches to Latin Literature

• Intensive Greek

• Intensive Latin

• Intermediate Greek

• Intermediate Latin

• Tacitus and the Making of Empire

• Art, Architecture and Identity in the Hellenistic World

• Encounters with Latin Poetry (in Latin)

• Food in the Ancient World

• History and Fiction

• Of Masks & Voices: Gender and Performance in Ancient Greece

• Thinking Myth: classical myth and its reception

• Roman Protests and Riots

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/classics/ancient-history/

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take 12 course units or modules at the rate of four whole units per year. At least 7.5 modules of Ancient History must be taken over the three years of the degree, three modules at year 2 level, and three at year 3 level.

You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials, depending on the subjects studied. Much of your work will be outside class: reading in the library or via e-learning resources (we have a comprehensive e-learning facility, Moodle). You will also be preparing for seminars and lectures, working on essays and undertaking group projects and wide-ranging but guided independent study.

In your final year we provide ongoing support for your dissertation work, which usually includes:

• Lectures and practical sessions on Dissertation Research Methods e.g. planning your topics, carrying out research, using specialist resources, finding information in print and online, and managing your search results and references. These sessions are run in conjunction with the Library Service and are generally also open to second year students

• Short departmental writing ‘surgeries’, in which academic staff offer general writing support if you experiencing problems and/or those who have specific queries

Assessment takes place by a flexible combination of essays, projects, examinations, and tests, various methods being employed depending on the nature of the course unit and the intended learning outcomes. In the third-year, students complete a guided and extended piece of independent research, a 10,000 word dissertation, on a historical subject.