PROSEMINAR-ANCIENT GREECE
History 2205.4298- Mon-Wed 9:25-10:40 PM-Robinson 211
SPRING 2008
Dr. Morschauser morschauser@rowan.edu
It is quite evident that Ancient Greece is enjoying a high degree of popularity, as
attested by numerous books, movies, and programs on such offerings as the
History Channel. And in these venues, one is able to read and hear spoken the
names of such vaunted figures as Odysseus, Leonidas, Pericles, and Alexander;
and of the deeds associated with places like Athens, Sparta, Marathon, and
Thermopylae.
All of this attests to the importance of the ancient Greeks in the history of the
West. Indeed, the concepts of liberty, democracy, free inquiry- - - including the
study of history- - - are just part of the heritage that we have received from these
peoples. However, we cannot overlook the fact that the Greeks achieved such
accomplishments only after centuries of struggle, and suffered the loss of some
of their most cherished institutions, and the disillusionment of their dearly-held
ideals, due to outbreaks of genocidal violence.
Conflict was an omnipresent reality of the Hellenic world; so much so, that
Thucydides called war “our harsh teacher.” His great history was written “so as
to instruct later generations” not to make the same mistake that the Athenians of
the Fifth Century did, resulting in both the destruction of their empire and their
democracy.
In contrast to the almost idolatrous treatment by 19th and early 20th century
histories, the ancient Greeks have not fared well in recent scholarship. Yet, the
Greeks were no less hard upon themselves: free enquiry led to self-criticism of
the most scathing type. This, too, is Greece’s legacy to the Western world. And
while it has been debated whether “history” has any lessons to offer, the Greeks- - with their often “tragic” vision of human nature- - - certainly believed it did, and
we would be well instructed to consider their counsel seriously.
This course will cover the history of ancient Greece: briefly, from its prehistoric
beginnings, through the development and collapse of Helladic culture at the end
of the Bronze Age, noting its integration into the wider Mediterranean and Near
Eastern world; to the formation of the “Classical” period following the “Dark
Ages”. Particular attention will be given then to the city-states of Sparta and
Athens, and the increasing rivalry between the two Persian Wars, culminating in
the chaos of the Peloponnesian War and the destruction of the Athenian Empire.
The text books for the class are:
Homer (trans. Lattimore), The Iliad
Matthew Dillon-Lynda Garland, Ancient Greece: Social and Historical Documents
William E. Dunstan, Ancient Greece
Jasper Green, Homer on Life and Death
Donald Kagan, Pericles of Athens
The tentative requirements for the course will be:
1) Midterm
2) A 10-15 page paper dealing with an ancient biography, reconstructing a
person’s life (or some aspect of it) by critically using and engaging both
ancient and modern sources. This is not a report- but a history paper,
using the approaches gained in Historical Methods. Subjects will be given
by the professor, and both a prior bibliography of ancient and modern
sources and a rough draft will be required.
3) A final exam.
4) Class assignments, including reviews and analytical summaries, given by
the professor.
Dr. Morschauser’s office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10:45-12:00 PM;
other hours by appointment.
You are strongly urged to attend and participate in class. Excused absences are
for illness or family emergencies: changes in work schedules or vacations do not
qualify (unless you are going to Greece).
If you are having difficulties or problems, or have questions, or need assistance,
please see the professor as soon as possible and inform him of your needs.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
TOPIC
Introduction to the course
The Land and People
The Minoans
Mycenaean Greece
READING
Dunstan, pp. xi-6
Dunstan 11-34
Dunstan 35-56
Homer’s, Iliad
History and the Homeric Problem Dunstan, 117-142
Selected readings
from Homer
Green, Homer on
Life and Death
6
7
The Dark Ages
Source Problems
The Archaic Polis
Dunstan, 57-69
Dunstan, 70-92,
144-148
(From this time onwards, selected readings from Dillon-Garland will be
assigned)
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Spartan Society
Athens and the Formation of
Democracy
MIDTERM
The Persian Wars
The Athenian Empire
Periclean Athens
Dunstan 93-102
Dunstan, 102-116
Dunstan 176-192
Dunstan, 193-206
Dunstan 227-254,
207-211
Kagan, Pericles of
Athens
Dunstan 212-224
The Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War
The End of Democracy
Dunstan, 225-226
Athenian Soul-Searching
FINAL EXAMINATION-PAPER DUE