Ancient Europe and the Mediterranean World

Catalog description

This class begins by examining the Minoan and Mycenean civilizations, then moves to the rise of Classical Greece and the Hellenistic world. It then visits Rome, looking at the eternal city’s founding, expansion, ultimate dominance, and eventual collapse and decline. The course focuses on issues such as the growth and evolution of political power, the transforming nature of religious practice (including the diversity of polytheistic tradition and experience and the emergence of monotheism), and the lives of the historically marginalized. Prerequisites: Non-majors may enroll with consent of department.