INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT GREEK HISTORY

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

Students will gain a solid grasp of the key facts and features forming the identity of each period of the Ancient Greek History and also with the main problems and discussions of Ancient Greek scholarship.

The course aims at presenting a general survey of the main historical developments, which defined the final political and cultural profile of the Ancient Greek World, from the emergence of the so called Mycenaean Civilization till the subjugation of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, the last independent Hellenistic Sate, to the Romans. Students will become familiarized with the different groups of sources (literary, epigraphic etc.), on which the study of Ancient Greek History is based, as well as with the critical use of selected texts. Week #1 Periods of Ancient Greek History- Categorization of sources – Characteristic features of the Mycenaean period Familiarization with the main periods of Ancient Greek History – A short survey of their distinctive features – Sources – Organization and structure of the Mycenaean states – The economic and administrative role of the Mycenaean palaces – Characteristics of the Mycenaean Civilization – Invention of a syllabic script – The importance of the Linear B tablets as historical sources – Causes for the collapse of the Mycenaean palace-system of administration – The theories – The historical significance of the Mycenaean period. Week #2 The Greek world during the so called ‘Dark Age’ (12th. -8th. cent.) – The historical significance of the Archaic Period (8th.-5th.) Settlement of Greek-speaking groups in the Greek mainland-Eastward movements and the ‘First’ Colonization on the western Asia Minor-Demographic and political developments-The role of the professional singers and the oral poetry for the survival of the Mycenaean past in the public memory – The Homeric World-The use of Homeric poems as historical sources-The emergence of the polis- Rise of local ruler-kings-Trade and cultural interchange with the East-Reception and critical transformation of the Phoenician Alphabet- The development of the Greek Alphabet and its significance-The Great ‘Second’ Colonization in the Western Mediterranean, the shores of Macedonia, Thrace and the Black Sea-The development of a common identity among the Greek communities as a result of cultural, not political unification-‘hetero-definition’ among the members of the colonies-Characteristics of the cultural unity: Panhellenic Sanctuaries, Panhellenic Games, Amphictyonies, formation of a common mythological tradition. Week #3 Main developments in the Greek cities (poleis) in the Archaic period Decline of the monarchic regimes and their final overthrow by the nobility-Absolute power of the nobles also challenged-Social crisis and conflicts -The rise of the tyrants and its historical significance-Lawgivers- Tendency for the formation of an objective framework of laws and rules governing the organization and functioning of the polis-institutions (council,magistrates,people’s assembly)-The use of Alphabet in the public life of the polis and its significance for the strengthening of the polis-institutions- The special case of the political and social organization of the Spartan state-Sparta and the rise of the Peloponnesean League. Week #4 Political and social developments in Archaic Athens The emergence of the aristocratic regime and its institutions-Social crisis and Solon’s political and social measures-The tyrant Peisistratus-Overthrow of the Peisistratids and the Kleisthenic political reformation-The importance of the political concepts of isonomia,isokratia,isegoria and the introduction of the concept of demokratia (democracy).. Week #5 The Persian Wars and the following political developments till the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War The Persian Wars and their ideological significance in the public memory-Creation and functioning of the First Athenian League-Establishment of Athenian control in the Aegean-Development of the Athenian democratic constitution: institutions, basic rules of functioning- Athens and its cultural achievements-Athenian and Spartan external relations during the “Fifty Years”. Week#6 The Peloponnesian War and its aftermath-The Second “Fifty Years” Causes of tension and polarization between Athenian and Spartan Alliances-Brief survey of the Peloponnesian War- Persian policy of intervention during the conflict and its consequences-The outcome of the war and its effect on the warring Greek states-Spartan hegemony: character and policy-Peace of Antalkidas-Second Athenian league-Rise of Thebes-Development of monarchic ideology-Panhellenism. Week #7 The Rise of Macedonia The Kingdom of Macedonia till the reign of Philipp II- Philipp II: ascendancy, internal and external policy-Corinthian League. Week #8 Alexander the Great – Campaigns and the creation of a multiethnic empire-Historical significance. Week #9 The Wars of the Successors and the gradual formation of the Hellenistic States. Establishment of the Hellenistic Kingdoms and Dynasties: Seleucids, Ptolemies, Antigonids- Attalids and the Kingdom of Pergamon- The victory over the Galatians and its importance for the official Attalid ideology-The Rhodian State- The Hellenistic period in the historical research and scholarship. Week #10 The Hellenistic World and its historical identity. Structure, organization, economy and main policy- objectives of the Hellenistic States-Monarchic ideology and ruler-cult-Formation of Leagues-Greek cities in the Hellenistic framework: inter-city relations, kings and the cities, new city-foundations-Main political developments in the years 281-220. Week #11 Roman involvement in the Hellenistic East. Attitudes of the Hellenistic States towards Roman presence and policy-Rome and Philipp V-Causes and effects of the Three Macedonian Wars-Flamininus’ ‘philhellenism’-The ‘freedom’ of the Greek cities as main focus of the Roman propaganda-Rome and Antiochus III-The Treaty of Apamea and its significance-Creation and organization of the Roman Provinces of Macedonia and Asia-The subjugation of Southern Greece. Week #12 Late Hellenistic Age. Roman policy towards the Greek cities-Amici populi romani- Crisis of the Roman Republic and Roman Civil Wars: their effect on the Greek East-Decline of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic Kingdoms-Creation of Roman Provinces of Syria, Pontus-Bithynia-Subjugation of Egypt and the End of Greek Independence. Week #13 Revision and preparation for the exams.

Mycenaean period, Archaic Period, City-state, Athens, Persian Wars, Peloponnesian War, Macedonia, Hellenistic World

18-11-2015