Ancient History BA (Hons)

Durham University

If you are fascinated by the history of the Greeks and Romans, this is the course for you. We will introduce you to the world of the ancient Greeks and early imperial Rome, and their interactions with neighbouring societies.

In your first year you will focus on core topics in Greek and Roman history, as well as studying a module focusing on ancient historical writing. This will prepare you for a wide range of more specific historical modules about politics, culture and society in the ancient world in your second and third years. At least half of your course in your second and third years will concentrate on historical topics.

The course includes the option to start learning Greek or Latin, and if you have prior knowledge of these languages you can choose to study higher level modules. And if you wish, you can broaden your degree by selecting modules about ancient art, literature or philosophy, or by choosing other topics that interest you from other departments.

In the first year, you take an introductory module on ancient historiography:

The Craft of the Ancient Historian.

You will also take two interdisciplinary modules that serve to give you grounding in the central periods of Greek and Roman culture:

Introduction to the Greek World

Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus.

Year 2

Historical modules in the second year offer deeper and broader surveys of political and social history from the Greek and Roman worlds. You will take at least three ancient history modules in your second year.

In addition, you can choose from a range of modules exploring literary, philosophical and cultural topics. If you choose to study Latin or Greek you may continue these courses in your second year. It is also possible to begin the study of Latin or Greek in the second year.

Year 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad)

You’ll write a Dissertation on a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3. Third-year modules typically cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff. At least two of your third-year modules must focus on ancient historical subjects; you can also choose from modules which explore cultural, literary and philosophical themes. If you study Latin and Greek you can proceed to the next level, with the texts becoming more difficult or fragmentary.

Historical modules have previously included:

Greeks and Persians

Roman Syria

Writing Alexander

The Life and Times of Cicero

Urbs Roma

The Later Roman Empire

Literary, Philosophical and Cultural topics have previously included:

The Literature and Language of Ancient Babylon

Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter & Sorrow

Hellenistic Poetry: Theory and Practice

Roman Law and Latin Literature

Love and Sex in Ancient Poetry

Technologies of Knowledge in Antiquity

Knowledge and Doubt in Hellenistic Philosophy

Year 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad)

You will write a Dissertation in your third year. You will choose a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3.

Third-year modules typically cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff. At least two of your third-year modules must focus on ancient historical subjects; you can also choose from modules which explore cultural, literary and philosophical themes. If you study Latin and Greek you can proceed to the next level, with the texts becoming more difficult or fragmentary.

This course includes an optional European Studies element, where students may spend the third year of a four-year course studying at a European university.