CL7024 Rulers and Image-making in the Hellenistic World

Not available 2012-13

Weighting: 10 ECTS
Module Coordinator: Professor Brian McGing
Contact Hours: 22 (11 x one 2-hr seminar p/w)

Overview

One of the most interesting phenomena of the Hellenistic period is the spread of a largely Greek-style kingship over the lands that Alexander the Great brought into his empire. Although the ‘major’ monarchies, Antigonids, Seleucids and Ptolemies may be thought of as broadly Macedonian, they faced quite different situations, and had to negotiate power with the peoples they ruled in quite different ways. The ‘lesser’ rulers faced even more varied situations. This course will examine how rulers presented themselves in the Hellenistic world, in order to forge relationships with their subjects. How successfully (or unsuccessfully) did they validate their authority (especially if they were ‘outsiders’)? In what roles did they present themselves? How did the native cultures react? Case-studies will include: Mithradatid Pontus, Maccabean Judaea and Ptolemaic Egypt.

Aims

• To introduce students to the ancient source material, both material and written, that relates to kings and other rulers.
• To assess the nature and reliability of that material, and difficulties of using it.
• To evaluate modern scholarly approaches to kingship.
• To study in detail particular examples of kingship/rulers.

Working Methods

The course will be taught as a series of student-led discussion seminars. Guidance for reading and topics will be given in class.

Learning Outcomes

Students should:

• Acquire a knowledge of the range and type of source material relevant to the topic.
• Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of this material and the problems involved in using it.
• Be aware of the latest issues in current research, and be familiar with the main methodologies used by scholars.
• Be able to analyse and assess the arguments of research papers, articles or books.
• Be able to communicate information and arguments on this subject effectively in both oral presentations and in written form.

Syllabus

The sources studied will include Appian, Polybius, 1, 2 and 3Maccabees, inscriptions, coins, papyri, statuary.

Assessment

This module requires the completion of assignments as directed by the lecturer. All assignments are compulsory.