Ancient Greek was the language of the poets Homer and Sappho, the symposium and the festival, the lawcourts and the theatre. It was the language in which new ideas were imagined: from the philosophy of Plato to the new tenets of Christianity, scientific literature from the Hippocratic corpus to Archimedes, political innovations like democracy and new narrative forms like the novel. You will explore the different dialects and genres of Ancient Greek written and spoken across the Mediterranean and beyond, their evolution over time, and their material context. From moving funerary inscriptions to diaries and letters on papyri, Ancient Greek introduces us to the emotions and experiences of the past. It was spoken from Spain to Central Asia, the Black Sea to the Nile, and remained the language of education for thousands of years.
You will begin your Ancient Greek study with the principles of language (grammar, vocabulary, and syntax) while developing your reading skills so that you can engage closely with original Ancient Greek texts. You will explore the literary, historical, and cultural contexts of Greek writers from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine period. No prior knowledge of Ancient Greek is required to undertake this minor. If you have studied Ancient Greek previously at school or another institution, please undertake the Advanced Ancient Greek minor.
Proficiency in Ancient Greek is highly recommended if you wish to specialise in the study of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, medieval and early modern history, law, rhetoric, philosophy, and archaeology. Studying Ancient Greek will enrich your understanding of the English language and other European languages.
Learning Outcomes
- acquire and extend a knowledge of Ancient Greek vocabulary, grammar, and syntax with the aid of textbooks, dictionaries, grammars, and commentaries;
- develop skills in reading Ancient Greek at sight and with the aid of resources, beginning with the study of simplified texts and moving on to a detailed examination of original literature from the Graeco-Roman world;
- demonstrate an understanding of different Ancient Greek literary genres (e.g. poetry, histories, letters) and the conventions of different media (e.g. graffiti, inscriptions); and
- think critically about Ancient Greek texts and genres in their historical, cultural, and literary contexts;
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This minor requires the completion of 24 units, which must include:
Completion of the following course list:
GREK1001 - Introductory Ancient Greek (6 units)
GREK2119 - Continuing Ancient Greek (6 units)
A minimum of 12 units and a maximum of 24 units from the completion of the following list:
GREK2121 - Intermediate Ancient Greek (6 units)
GREK3125 - Advanced Ancient Greek (6 units) [may be taken multiple times with a different topic in each instance]
Back to the top
