Ancient Greece: City and Society

Dr Gillian Shepherd

This subject deals with the cultural history of the ancient Greek world through both textual sources and the material evidence of art and archaeology. The period covered runs from the Iron Age world of Archaic Greece through to the late Classical period (roughly from the 8th century to the 4th century BCE). We will concentrate mainly on Athens and mainland Greece, but we will also focus on the Greek expansion into other parts of the Mediterranean world (Sicily and South Italy) in the process of colonisation. Historical texts will be combined with literary sources and archaeology to explore the physical nature of ancient Greek cities and social issues such as the position of women, ethnicity, sexuality and slavery in the ancient Greek world.

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52 episodes
Updated May 26, 2014

Episodes52

Newest first

May 26, 2014 · 50 min
The Classical Legacy
Has Greek history had any impact on the modern world? Are the literature, art and architecture of the ancient Greeks still relevant centuries later?
May 26, 2014
The Classical Legacy (handout)
Has Greek history had any impact on the modern world? Are the literature, art and architecture of the ancient Greeks still relevant centuries later?
May 25, 2014 · 29 min
Aristophanes’ Frogs
Dr. Heather Sebo begins by discussing the proposal in the parabasis of Aristophanes Frogs that clemency be extended to citizens exiled for their involvement in the oligarchic coup of 411 BCE.
May 25, 2014
Aristophanes’ Frogs (handout)
Dr. Heather Sebo begins by discussing the proposal in the parabasis of Aristophanes Frogs that clemency be extended to citizens exiled for their involvement in the oligarchic coup of 411 BCE.
May 20, 2014 · 50 min
Slaves and Captives in Greek Drama
For the ancients, the consequences of defeat in war were that every man, women and child became the property of the victors, to be disposed of in whatever way they saw fit.
May 20, 2014
Slaves and Captives in Greek Drama (handout)
For the ancients, the consequences of defeat in war were that every man, women and child became the property of the victors, to be disposed of in whatever way they saw fit.
May 6, 2014 · 54 min
Slavery, Part II
Having looked at some practical issues regarding ancient Greek slavery, in this second lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd examines some of the attitudes of the ancient Greeks towards their slaves.
May 6, 2014
Slavery, Part II (handout)
Having looked at some practical issues regarding ancient Greek slavery, in this second lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd examines some of the attitudes of the ancient Greeks towards their slaves.
Apr 28, 2014 · 54 min
Slavery, Part I
In the first of two lectures on Ancient Greek slavery, Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at two important slave systems – chattel slavery in Athens and the helots of Sparta – and how they might have come into being.
Apr 28, 2014
Slavery, Part I (handout)
In the first of two lectures on Ancient Greek slavery, Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at two important slave systems – chattel slavery in Athens and the helots of Sparta – and how they might have come into being.
Apr 15, 2014 · 51 min
Mining, Money and Economy
In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd takes a closer look at the Athenian economy by examining the nature of coinage in ancient Greece and one major source of Athenian wealth – the silver mines of Laurion, which provided the famous “Owl” coins of Athens.
Apr 15, 2014
Mining, Money and Economy (handout)
In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd takes a closer look at the Athenian economy by examining the nature of coinage in ancient Greece and one major source of Athenian wealth – the silver mines of Laurion, which provided the famous “Owl” coins of Athens.
Mar 28, 2014 · 47 min
Marriage to Death: Sophocles’ Antigone
Dr Heather Sebo contrasts the traditions of women’s lament with the public orations associated with the communal burial of the war dead.
Mar 28, 2014
Marriage to Death: Sophocles’ Antigone (handout)
Dr Heather Sebo contrasts the traditions of women’s lament with the public orations associated with the communal burial of the war dead.
Dec 12, 2013 · 55 min
Death in Athens
One of the best sources of evidence for understanding an ancient society is burials. Ancient cemeteries can provide evidence for population, diet, social divisions, religious beliefs and cultural practices.
Dec 12, 2013
Death in Athens (handout)
One of the best sources of evidence for understanding an ancient society is burials. Ancient cemeteries can provide evidence for population, diet, social divisions, religious beliefs and cultural practices.
Dec 12, 2013 · 52 min
Images of Barbarians
In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd examines how non-Greek groups were represented visually, how they appear in relation to Greeks, and the role of such imagery in defining Greek culture and making reference to recent historical events.
Dec 12, 2013
Images of Barbarians (handout)
In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd examines how non-Greek groups were represented visually, how they appear in relation to Greeks, and the role of such imagery in defining Greek culture and making reference to recent historical events.
Dec 3, 2013 · 54 min
The Greeks and the Other
One of the preoccupations of the ancient Greeks, especially in the fifth century BC, was the idea of the barbarian “other” – people who were barbaros (ie did not speak Greek) and had customs and cultures which contrasted with the practices of the Greeks.
Dec 3, 2013
The Greeks and the Other (handout)
One of the preoccupations of the ancient Greeks, especially in the fifth century BC, was the idea of the barbarian “other” – people who were barbaros (ie did not speak Greek) and had customs and cultures which contrasted with the practices of the Greeks.