Overview

Ancient Greece and Rome continue to shape how we understand politics, culture and society, making a close study of their interactions with each other and the wider Mediterranean genuinely rewarding. The BA (Hons) Ancient History at Durham University introduces students to the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, examining their societies alongside their contact with other cultures across the region. The course offers the option to begin learning Greek or Latin from scratch, with higher-level language modules available to those with prior knowledge, while students can also broaden their study by choosing modules in ancient art, literature, science or philosophy. Teaching moves from core historical foundations in the first year toward specialised modules on politics, culture and society, with at least half of study in later years focused on historical topics. Students are welcomed into an active department community, with access to research seminars, public lectures from guest speakers and events run by the student-led Classics Society. The course suits students genuinely fascinated by the Greeks and Romans, offering a strong grounding in ancient historiography and the skills needed to interrogate historical texts critically.

​

What You'll Learn

• Roman history and culture, explored through a transitional era in ancient Rome from an interdisciplinary perspective

• Ancient Greek history, society and thought, covering key themes from the Archaic and Classical periods

• Ancient Greek and Roman historiography, developing critical skills in analysing historical texts

• Everyday life in ancient Greece and Rome, examined through case studies and documentary evidence

• The option to study Latin or Greek from beginner through to advanced level

• Specialist topics such as political thought, religion, and the history of writing in the ancient Mediterranean

• Research skills training, supported by an academic mentor guiding module choices

• An extended dissertation, researched and written on a topic of your own choosing

​

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse the political, social and cultural worlds of ancient Greece and Rome, drawing on both historical texts and documentary evidence. They will be equipped to interrogate ancient historiography with rigour, applying strong critical skills built from the first year through to specialised study of politics, culture and society. Through an extended dissertation supported by one-to-one supervision, students will develop the ability to conduct independent research and construct well-evidenced historical arguments. Graduates will leave with strong analytical, linguistic and research skills, well suited to further study or a wide range of careers valuing rigorous historical thinking.