Fall 2018 - HS 275 D100

From Alexander to the Caesars: The Hellenic and Roman Worlds to the end of Antiquity (4)

Class Number: 6587

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 10, 2018
    Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Dimitris Krallis
    dkrallis@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-7625
    Office: AQ 6195

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This is an overview of Near Eastern and Mediterranean history from Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire to early Byzantium and the side of Islam that covers the Hellenistic, Roman, and early Byzantine Worlds with emphasis on the place of Hellenism in social, political, religious, and cultural life at the time. Students with credit for HIST 308, HS 308, or HIST 275 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

On the North shores of the Aegean Sea, from the lands of Macedonia, kings emerged in the fourth century BCE who conquered lands all the way to the rivers of India, the Mountains of Afghanistan, the Arabian Desert and the sands of Egypt. Across the Adriatic Sea, one city in the center of Italy, Rome, flexed its might, defeated Etruscan neighbors, and eventually clashed with the rich and adventurous Carthaginians.

This course follows the parallel rise of the Hellenistic and Roman worlds and the eventual clash between the two. It examines the outcome of the wars between Hellenistic Kings and Roman citizens and studies the world created by the victory of Roman imperialism, following the legacy of Alexander in the world of Caesar’s heirs.

The Hellenistic and Roman worlds spread the language and culture of the Greeks to Jews, Persians, Latins, Britons, Egyptians, and North Africans. Cities built on Greek grid plans and laws enacted with Roman punctiliousness spread from Greece and Italy all the way to Tunisia, England, Gaul, and the Near East, shaping the living environment and daily experience of millions. Alexander, the Hellenistic Kings and Caesar were heroes whose exploits we still celebrate today but they were also state builders and administrators who created a world where ideas, goods, and people traveled inspiring and enriching myriads. In this very world the teachings of an obscure Jewish preacher would meet Greek philosophy and morph into the dynamic and world-changing religion of Christianity.

This coming semester we will follow the history of the Hellenistic and Roman worlds from the death of Alexander the Great to the reign of Justinian at the end of Antiquity. We shall ask questions regarding war, politics, culture, and religion, and explore texts that address the vitality and complicated legacy of this vast Greco-Roman space.

Grading

  • Class Participation 20%
  • In-Class Assignments 20%
  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Final Exam 35%

NOTES:

Please contact hsadvise@sfu.ca for any questions or concerns about enrolling in this or any other Hellenic Studies course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Clark, Gillian. Late Antiquity: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. 

Kelly, Christopher. The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. 

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS