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Academic Year 2005/2006
The Hellenistic Mediterranean: History, Society and Culture
CCIV 236 SP
The Hellenistic Mediterranean, from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 to the Roman sack of Carthage and Corinth in 146 B.C., witnessed dramatic changes in political organization, social norms, economic behavior and
religious practices. We shall explore this dynamic and creative period of the ancient Mediterranean world through a close reading of literary and epigraphic primary sources (in translation) as well as secondary
scholarship.
Major topics will include: kingship; the rise of interstate agreements and organization; cities and civic identity; urbanization; the economy; mercenaries and pirates; warfare; acculturation and culture clash; Judaism
and
the Greek world; religion; Rome and the eastern Mediterranean. Some knowledge of Greek or Roman history will be advantageous but is not strictly required.
MAJOR READINGS
M.M. Austin, THE HELLENISTIC WORLD FROM ALEXANDER TO THE ROMAN CONQUEST: A SELECTION OF ANCIENT SOURCES IN TRANSLATION (Cambridge, 1982)
Callixeinus, THE GRAND PROCESSION OF PTOLEMY PHILADELPHUS
Gruen, E., HERITAGE
AND HELLENISM: THE REINVENTION OF
JEWISH TRADITION (Berkeley, 1998)
MACCABEES I, II
Polybius, THE RISE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (selections)
G. Shipley, THE GREEK WORLD AFTER ALEXANDER: 323-30 B.C. (London, 2000)
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Two papers, in-class presentations, no final exam.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
Active, prepared participation in class discussions is mandatory. Some knowledge of Greek and/or Roman history and/or archaeology will be advantageous, but is not strictly required.
Please note that this course
carries dual General Education
designations. When you register for this course, it will be assigned a primary Gened credit of HA. If you choose to take the course for SBS Gened credit instead, you must make this change at the Registrar's Office
during the drop/add period. NO CHANGE
TO GENED DESIGNATION MAY BE MADE AFTER DROP/ADD ENDS.
COURSE FORMAT:
Seminar
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA CLAS
Grading Mode:
Student Option
Prerequisites:
NONE
Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-30-2006
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459