Egypt and the Classical World - CLAS7700

Overview

This module is concerned with the interaction between two contiguous but very different peoples, Egypt in the Late Period and Classical Greece. Though the Aegean world had a long history of contact with Egypt, the volume of contact increased dramatically under the XXVI (Saïte) Dynasty, with the foundation of commercial settlements, the development of vigorous trade relations and the arrival of many Greeks as traders, mercenaries and tourists. That contact had profound consequences both in the short and longer term; provided an essential support for the last great dynasty of independent Egypt; aided the rise of the East Greek cities of Ionia; and it influenced the development of Greek sculpture and architecture.

Equally important, it revealed to the Greeks a civilisation, which was deeply impressive, in many ways superior, yet alien. The immediate fruit of that perception lies in the stimulus to Greek thought and history writing, especially through Herodotus (a vital witness to Egyptian religion and society of this age). In the longer term, it shaped the way in which the West perceived Egypt, creating myths about its antiquity, its religion and its wisdom that continues to affect us today, not least in the shaping of traditional Egyptology. The module will be taught from a range of sources, archaeological, papyrological, historical and literary.

Details

Contact hours

Total Contact Hours: 20
Total Private Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours: 150

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods:
• Essay 1 (1,500 words) – 45%
• Essay 2 (1,500 words) – 45%
• Presentation (5 minutes) – 10%

Reassessment methods:
• 100% Coursework (3,000 words)

Indicative reading

Indicative Reading List

Baines, J. & Málek, J. (2005). Atlas of Ancient Egypt, Oxford: Checkmark.
Bernal, J.M. (2012). Black Athena: The Afroasiatic Roots of Classical Civilization, London: Free Association Books
Boardman, J. (2011). The Greeks Overseas, 4th edn., London: Thames & Hudson.
Munson, R.V. (2013). Herodotus. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Shaw, I. (2003) ed. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Shaw, I. & Nicholson, P. (2008). The British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt, London: British Museum Press.
Van de Mieroop, M. (2011). A History of Ancient Egypt, Malden, Massachusetts: Wiley-Blackwell.

Learning outcomes

The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the contacts (material, artistic, cultural and intellectual) between the Greek World and Egypt during the Archaic and Classical periods (Egyptian Dynasties XXV-XXX);
2 Demonstrate critical understanding of the historical interpretations of the sources;
3 Demonstrate critical understanding of the importance of using interdisciplinary source material, such as historical textual sources and archaeological remains;
4 Demonstrate detailed knowledge of interactions between Greeks and Egyptians;
5 Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role historical events played in the development of Egypt;
6 Demonstrate confident skills in historiography and textual analysis.

The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1 Demonstrate a confident understanding of library and web-based sources;
2 Demonstrate assured critical skills;
3 Demonstrate confidence in working independently and in groups;
4 Demonstrate confident communication skills in a variety of media.