HIST 2676

Periclean Athens

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2015-2016 Catalog.

Beginning with the archaic background of aristocratic, religious, cultural and military traditions of mainland Greece, we will follow the Athenian plunge into democracy, the theatrical translation of traditional myths into contemporary issues, radical speculation on religion, science, natural law, national identities, economically supported by a large class of slaves and an unquestioned commitment to aggressive imperialism. The center of this period is marked by the political leadership (446-429 BCE) of Pericles. The resulting three decade war with the Peloponnesian league, as recorded by Thucydides and others, forms the third major topic, and the final weeks will trace the fate of Socrates.  Fifth century Athens is richly documented: readings (all in English) from Herodotus, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Thucydides, Plato and other texts and inscriptions.

Distribution Category (HA-AS)

When Offered Spring.

Breadth Requirement (HB)

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