A History of Ancient Greece - Part 1: Democracy, War, Art, and MORE (Semester)

DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the culture of Ancient Greece. We will examine the beliefs, values, and institutions of Greece by tracing its history, literature, art, and architecture from the Bronze Age through Alexander the Great. The course follows a rough chronological framework and will consider major historical events in Ancient Greece; however, we will focus on how those events affected cultural beliefs, customs and practices. We will also consider how those beliefs and customs appear and affect our societies and cultures today. This course is meant to be fun but also give learners a very in-depth look into the world of the ancient Greeks.

GOALS: This course will provide learners with a working knowledge of ancient Greek culture, as well as familiarity and appreciation of Greek literature, art, architecture, and institutions. Learners will develop an understanding of the legacy of ancient Greek culture and its influence over modern Western society. Learners will also have the opportunity for personal reflection through our readings that deal with broad topics and questions such as identity, beauty, conflict and morality. Through the readings, discussions, and writing assignments, learners will develop interpretive, reflective, and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to articulate their analyses in a thoughtful and coherent manner. 

MATERIALS: This class will use Google docs, Nearpod.com, and Edpuzzle.com to manage assignments. It will also use “Nearpod” during live classes which encourages student engagement and interaction. This will require students to “join” each live class through a Nearpod code so that they can interact with the slides by answering questions, filling in blanks, and drawing.

See below for an outline of topics that will be covered in this course. Topics are subject to change based on learner's interests and the pace of the course. 

16-Week Course Outline

Week 1: Crete and the Civilization of the Early Aegean World
- Why study the culture of the Greeks
- The Mediterranean World
- Geography of Greece and the Mediterranean 
- ancient Crete: architecture, culture, and religion

Week 2: Crete and the Civilization of the Early Aegean World 
- The Trojan War
- Homer & Life in the Homeric Age

Week 3: Crete and the Civilization of the Early Aegean World
- Mycenae
- The Greek migration

Week 4: The Greeks
- Greek religion and the Oracles
- The Olympic games

Week 5: The Greeks
- The Greek city-state

Week 6: The Greeks
- Sparta: government, custom, education

Week 7: The Greeks
- Early Athens and the rule of the Oligarchy 
- Solon the wise
- Tyrants

Week 8: The Greeks
- Greek colonies
- Ionia and Lydia

Week 9: The Greeks
- The Persian wars: the beginning
- Marathon

Week 10: The Greeks
- The Persian wars: invasion under Xerxes
- Thermopylae

Week 11: The Greeks
- The Athenian Empire
- fortification of Athens
- confederacy of Delos

Week 12: The Greeks
- Pericles
- Life in Athens: dress, housing
- The Athenian gentleman and lady

Week 13: The Greeks
- Athenian trade
- Athenian pottery

Week 14: The Greeks
- The downfall of Athens
- the Peloponnesian War: Athens vs Sparta
- Alcibiades

Week 15: The Greeks
- end of the Peloponnesian War
- Philip II of Macedonia
- Alexander the Great

Week 16: The Greeks
- Alexander the Great