Admission requirements:
a BA degree (or equivalent) in Archaeology, Egyptology, Art History, Classics or another relevant discipline
Description
When the Macedonian general Ptolemy began ruling Egypt in the late fourth century BC as the successor of Alexander the Great, he was initially a foreigner, and he had his kingship recasted in a local idiom. His successors built this principle into an elaborate symbolic system. This suggests that Hellenistic Egypt had an ‘Egyptian’ as well as a ‘Hellenistic’ face. But what kind of consequences did this form of culture contact between Greeks and Egyptians had for society at large, and how did it develop over time? What kind of society was Hellenistic Egypt and how does the use of different forms and types of material culture relate to social structure? What role did Alexandria play? Similar questions can be posed for the Roman period. What makes culture contact between Egyptians, Romans and Greeks in this period so fascinating in particular is the apparent strength of the Egyptian tradition. An inscription on the back wall of the naos of the main temple for Isis at Philae, constructed by Augustus after he had brought Egypt in the power of the Roman people, tells that the emperor had built this monument ‘for his mother Isis’. At the same time there were three Roman legions stationed in Egypt and the second century AD Egypt saw a building boom as the rest of the Empire. And what about the ‘romanity’ of Roman Egypt when we look at agriculture, clothing and religion? In this course, these questions will be discussed in class and explored by the students through their own research into a specific topic.
Learning objectives
To have knowledge of sources available for the archaeology of Hellenistic and Roman Egypt and to be able to view these sources critically, with a focus on an independent chosen topic.
To be able to critically assess the discussions, current research and literature on the ‘Hellenisation’ and ‘Romanisation’ of Egypt in this period and to be able to formulate their own point of view in this discussion.
To be able to critically assess the current discussions, research and literature on (the archaeology of) culture contact.
To be able to work together in a team on a research topic, come to a combined presentation and paper, and to be able to critically assess the different presentations of the other students;
To be able to choose a research topic, find relevant literature and present this via a PowerPoint-presentation and is able to handle a stimulating discussion afterwards;
To write a paper on his/her study topic, while assessing the literature critically and presenting his/her own opinion and incorporating the received feedback of the presentation;
Enhanced performance in the following areas: research skills, composition skills, ability to evaluate the findings of other scholars.
Method of instruction
Lectures, literature discussion, presentation, research & final paper.
Some general literature (to be specified) all participants are required to read. This literature will be discussed and elaborated upon in several lectures serving as a general introduction. Subsequently every participant carries out research on a topic of his/her own choosing and will be asked to present some preliminary results in the course. For this research the students are stimulated to work together in groups. The participants will also be asked to comment on the preliminary findings obtained by fellow-students and to submit a final paper with their research results.
Examination
Every student is expected to actively participate, to present a short presentation of preliminary findings and to hand in a final paper on the research carried out.