CL4055 Travel and Exploration in the Ancient World

Module Organiser: Dr. Rosie Harman
Duration of Course: All Year
Contact Hours: 44 (22 x 2-hour seminar)
Weighting: 20 ECTS

Description: This course examines how ideas about what it means to travel – whether in foreign lands, fantastical realms, or across one’s own country – shape self-conception in the ancient world. We will look at a range of writings which present the experience of travel or describe visits to strange lands from both the Greek and Roman periods. Although we will focus on literary representation, we will attempt to place our readings of literary texts in historical, social and theoretical context, considering the range of reasons why ancient peoples travelled, and how these texts function as sources for ancient socio-political and cultural concerns.

Travel and Exploration in the Ancient World guide (PDF, 53KB)
Exam Papers