Course Objective

By preparing and attending classes the student will get acquainted with
the different types of evidence used by ancient historians, as well as
with the possibilities and limitations of these types of evidence for
research into political history and into international relations in
Antiquity.

Course Content

After an introductory lecture, evidence relating to twelve subjects (one
subject every class) will be studied and discussed: three subjects from
the history of the Ancient Near East, five subjects from Greek history
(including the history of the Hellenistic world), and four subjects from
Roman history. About each subject students have to read c. 40 pages of
sources in translation, answering questions about them in writing. These
questions and other matters the reading may give rise to will be
discussed in class.

Teaching Methods

Group tutorial.

Method of Assessment

Attending classes, handing in at each class your assignment, i.e.
written answers to the questions about the subject discussed during that
class. If you have attended at least eleven of the thirteen classes and
handed in all the assignments, and if your assignments have been judged
overall ‘satisfactory’ or ‘good’, you have passed.

Literature

Reading matter will be distributed during the first meeting.

Target Audience

This course is optional in the second year BA History.

Recommended background knowledge

An introductory course in Ancient History of at least 6 ec, e.g.
Geschiedenis van de Oudheid 1 and 2.