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Semester 1

Hellenistic Egypt: Society, Economy and Culture (332BC - 31BC) (ANHI10051)

Subject

Ancient History

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed 3 courses in Classics related subject matter (at least 2 of which should be in Ancient History) at grade B or above for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

Hellenistic Egypt has a uniquely important place in the study of the ancient world: first, papyri offer unparalleled first-hand evidence for a detailed study of Egypt's administration, economy, society, culture, and daily life; second, it was the longest-lasting Hellenistic Kingdom. This course studies the complex history and fascinating multicultural society of Egypt under the Ptolemaic dynasty, from the 4th cent. BC to 30 BC, when Egypt's last Queen, Cleopatra VII, succumbed to the eagles of Rome.

Course Description

In this course, students will become familiar with the complex and fascinating history of the multicultural society of Hellenistic Egypt as evinced by the unique amount of evidence offered by the papyri and will learn to analyse the role of Egypt within the broader context of the Hellenistic world. Through a close study of texts in translation, the course will approach Egypt's administration, economy, society, religion, and culture, as well as topics such as gender, bilingualism, ancient archives, social mobility, slavery, status, and complex identities. Topographical aspects, archaeological sources, and material culture will also be mobilised and contextualised in the light of the information from documentary sources, so that students may anchor the past in its physical context and thus gain a fuller understanding of ancient realities. Students will also learn to develop a sensitivity towards documents' physical features and be guided to make full critical use of papyrological sources and online tools.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 40%, Coursework 60%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

Unless you are nominated on a Classics or HCA exchange agreement, visiting students are only permitted to enrol in two 3rd year Classics courses each, per semester, before the start of the relevant semester’s welcome period – and spaces on each course are limited so cannot be guaranteed for any student. Enrolment in a third course from this group will depend on whether there are still spaces available in the September Welcome Period, and cannot be guaranteed. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact staff within this subject area to ask for an exception to be made; all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. This is due to the extremely limited number of spaces available in this very popular subject area.

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