Classics
Postgraduate - Individual Specialist Options

Agricultural Slavery in the Graeco-Roman World

In this course, students will study the key texts and materials for agricultural slavery in the Graeco-Roman World (agricultural manuals, archaeological remains, epigraphic records). In doing so they will be introduced to the major issues of modern debate and the various approaches and methodologies adopted by modern scholars, which should equip them to formulate their own questions in the field.

Claudian

The course focuses on the Latin poet Claudian of Alexandria, whose brief but brilliant career in Italy lasted from AD 395 to 404. Claudian’s works range from grandiose panegyric to satirical invective, from mythological epic to epigram, with a verve and style recalling Ovid, Lucan and Juvenal. The course would suit anybody at intermediate level or above in Latin, including those intending to specialise in ancient history: the exact works read will depend on individual interests and linguistic knowledge.

Dress and Identity in the Roman Empire

In recent years, historians have begun to see dress not only as a form of material culture, but also as a means by which to observe aspects of identity (status, gender, ethnicity etc.). As such, the study of dress behaviour holds enormous potential for Roman cultural and social history. This course explores not only various examples of dress styles in different regions of the Empire, but also their meaning in terms of cultural and social identity. It is interdisciplinary in character, drawing on theoretical models from the social sciences as well as written, pictorial and archaeological sources.

Egypt under the Ptolemies

This course traces the history and culture of Egypt under the Greek Pharaohs of the 30th Dynasty. As successors of Alexander the Great and inheritors of an ancient pharaonic past, the Ptolemies created a unique socio-cultural and political structure. Students will have an opportunity to explore the cultural diversity of Ptolemaic life from the reign of Ptolemy I to the death of Kleopatra VII.

Elementary Greek for Postgraduates

Elementary Greek (PG) 1 - PGHC11088

An introduction to the Greek language for complete beginners and those with limited recent experience of the language. In classes shared with the undergraduate course (Greek 1 - section A) a thorough grounding is provided in the essentials of Greek accidence (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs) and in the syntax of the simple sentence. From week 4 post-graduates also have a weekly class to read selected texts.

Elementary Greek (PG) 2 - PGHC11089

Consolidation of work in Greek accidence and grammar from Elementary Greek (PG) 1, together with systematic treatment of the syntax of the complex sentence. In classes shared with the undergraduate course a thorough grounding is provided in the syntax of subordinate clauses and of indirect speech. Postgraduates also have a weekly class to read selected texts.

Elementary Latin for Postgraduates

Elementary Latin (PG) 1 - PGHC11086

An introduction to the Latin language for complete beginners and those with limited recent experience of the language. A thorough grounding is provided in the essentials of Latin accidence (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs) and in the syntax of the simple sentence.

Elementary Latin (PG) 2 - PGHC11087

Consolidation of work in Latin accidence and grammar from Elementary Latin (PG) 1, together with systematic treatment of the syntax of the complex sentence. The focus of this semester will be on the reading of texts.