ANCIENT GREEK LANGUAGE I

Thucydides, Histories I. The first book of Thucydides’ Histories is the main subject of the course. The book refers to the causes of the Peloponnesian War. The text is examined both in a linguistic and a rhetoric manner, its tradition and critical apparatus are referred to and the writer’s historical method is analysed in context with his style. A comparative presentation of another ancient Greek historian, Diodorus Siculus, is attempted, aiming at the analysis of his historical method and use of sources in the 16^th book of his Histories. The course includes teaching of ancient Greek texts, unknown to the students, with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises and the use of lexica and sources.

The course aims at piquing the students’ interest towards the ancient Greek language and literature, provide them with basic knowledge regarding those subjects, sharpen their critical thinking and provide them with the necessary tools to help them in their academic course.

After the students have successfully completed the course, they will be able to:

• Have the ability to converse regarding subjects about ancient Greek language and literature.
• Understand and produce historical comments on texts written in ancient Greek.
• Be familiar with the early days of historiography.
• Locate and comment on the primary causes of events, using their critical thinking.

Week 1: Getting to know the students. Introduction to the basics of ancient Greek language and literature.

Week 2: Introduction to ancient Greek historiography, biography of Thucydides.

Week 3: Analysis of historical context on Thucydides’ work. The Peloponnesian War.

Week 4: Translation and historical analysis of the first chapters in Thucydides’ first book.

Week 5: Analysis of unknown text with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises.

Week 6: Translation and historical analysis of the following chapters in Thucydides’ first book.

Week 7: Analysis of unknown text with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises.

Week 8: Biography of Diodorus Siculus and historical analysis of his work’s context.

Week 9: Translation and historical analysis of the first chapters in Diodorus’ first book.

Week 10: Analysis of unknown text with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises.

Week 11: Translation and historical analysis of the first chapters in Diodorus’ sixteenth book.

Week 12: Comparative analysis of Thucydides’ and Diodorus’ works.

Week 13: Recapitulation and preparation for the exams.

A.W. Gomme, A Historical Commentary on Thucydides, Τόμος Πρώτος. S. Hornblower, A Commentary on Thucydides, Τόμος Πρώτος. J. Finley, Θουκυδίδης. Φ. Παππάς, Θουκυδίδου Ιστορία, Τόμος Πρώτος. Α. Γεωργοπαπαδάκος, Εκλεκτά μέρη από το Θουκυδίδη. Αθαν. Αγγ. Ευσταθίου – Θεοδ. Πυλαρινός, Διοδώρου του Σικελιώτη Ιστορία, Βιβλίο 16.

• Lectures
• Questions towards students
• Studying of texts in groups
• Conversation between students and teaching staff

Written and oral exams