Overview

The BA (Hons) Ancient History at the University of Exeter explores the history, societies, cultures and political ideas of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. The course combines the study of historical events with close examination of ancient evidence, texts and modern scholarship, helping students develop a critical understanding of how the ancient world can be reconstructed and interpreted.

What You'll Learn

• Greek history from the Archaic and Classical periods through the Hellenistic world.

• Roman history, including political, social, cultural and economic developments.

• Ancient evidence and methods for assessing textual and material sources.

• Greek and Roman philosophy and the intellectual life of the ancient world.

• Classical languages and texts, with opportunities to study Greek or Latin.

• Ancient societies, religion, politics, warfare and cultural development.

• Different interpretations of ancient history and approaches to historical scholarship.

• Independent research, critical analysis, source evaluation and academic communication.

• Specialist topics in ancient history and classical studies. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to analyse important developments in Greek and Roman history using appropriate ancient evidence and modern scholarship. They will understand how political, social, economic, religious and intellectual factors shaped ancient societies and be able to assess the limitations and strengths of different historical sources. Students will develop the ability to interpret texts and other evidence critically, compare competing historical perspectives and construct well-supported arguments. They will also be able to undertake independent research, evaluate scholarly interpretations and communicate complex historical ideas clearly. The course develops a systematic and questioning approach to reconstructing the ancient past and understanding the ways it has been interpreted by different scholars.