Courses in Ancient History

ALL CU Classics courses (but no Independent Studies) satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences’ Gen Ed Arts and Humanities distribution requirement. Further College requirements satisfied by individual courses are noted in the description of the course in question.

CLAS 1051 - The World of the Ancient Greeks

Presents a survey of the emergence, the major accomplishments, the failures, and the decline of the ancient Greeks, from the Bronze Age civilizations of the Minoans and Mycenaeans through the Hellenistic Age (2000-30 B.C.). All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 1061 - The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome

Presents a survey of the rise of ancient Rome in the eighth century B.C. to its fall in the fifth century A.D. Emphasizes political institutions, foreign policy, leading personalities, and unique cultural accomplishments. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 1071 - Ancient Sport and Spectacle

Surveys the development, evolution, and impact of sport and spectacle in the Greco-Roman world through the deconstruction of games during the Christian era of the Roman Empire.  The course will examine, among other relevant topics, games in the Homeric tradition, the development of the Greek Olympics, and Roman spectacles including the circus, amphitheaters, and gladiators.

  • 3 credits

CLAS 2041 - War and Society in Ancient Greece

Studies Greek warfare in its cultural, social, and economic contexts, in the light of anthropological comparisons and modern theories. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

  • 3 credits

CLAS 4021 - Athens and Greek Democracy

Studies Greek history from 800 B.C. (the rise of the city-state) to 323 B.C. (the death of Alexander the Great). Emphasizes the development of democracy in Athens. Readings are in the primary sources. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 4031 - Alexander and the Rise of Macedonia

Covers Macedonia's rise to dominance in Greece under Philip II and the reign and conquests of Alexander the Great. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 4041 - Classical Greek Political Thought

Studies main representatives of political philosophy in antiquity (Plato, Aristotle, Cicero) and of the most important concepts and values of ancient political thought. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 4061 - The Twilight of Antiquity

Explores the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire in the western Mediterranean and its survival in the east as Byzantium. Emphasizes Christianity; barbarians; social, economic, and cultural differences; contemporary views of Rome; and modern scholarship. All ancient texts are read in English translation

CLAS 4071 - Seminar in Ancient Social History

Considers topics ranging from demography, disease, family structure, and the organization of daily life to ancient slavery, economics, and law. Focuses either on Persia, Greece, or Rome and includes a particular emphasis on the methodology required to reconstruct an ancient society, especially the interpretation of problematic literary and material evidence and the selective use of comparisons with better known societies. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

  • 3 credits
  • Repeatable for up to 9 total credit hours.
  • Concurrent with HIST 4071 and CLAS 5071 (duplicate degree credit not granted).

CLAS 4081 - The Roman Republic

Studies the Roman Republic from its foundation in 753 B.C. to its conclusion with the career of Augustus. Emphasizes the development of Roman Republican government. Readings are in the primary sources. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 4091 - The Roman Empire

Intense survey of Imperial Rome from the Roman revolution to the passing of centralized political authority in the western Mediterranean. Emphasizes life, letters, and personalities of the empire. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 4101 - Greek and Roman Slavery

Surveys slavery in ancient Greece and Rome beginning with its growth, economics and political effects, moving to the life experiences of slaves, resistance and revolt, and finishing with the ideology of slavery. Focuses throughout on the challenge of understanding classical slavery on the basis of scattered and biased evidence and on the controversies that have surrounded this topic.

CLAS 4761 - Roman Law

Studies the constitutional and legal history of ancient Rome; emphasizes basic legal concepts and comparisons with American law. All ancient texts are read in English translation.

CLAS 4840 - Independent Study

All texts are read in English translation.

  • 1-4 credits
  • May be repeated for up to a total of 7 credit hours.
  • Counts towards any Classics major or minor track.
  • Like all Independent Studies, this course does NOT satisfy any Gen Ed requirement.

CLAS 4852 - Honors Thesis

Arts & Sciences Honors Course

  • 1-6 credits
  • Repeatable for up to 6 total credit hours.
  • Counts towards any Classics major track.
  • Like all Independent Studies, this course does NOT satisfy any Gen Ed requirement.

Graduate Courses

CLAS 5021 (3). Athens and Greek Democracy.
Same as CLAS 4021. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5031 (3). Alexander the Great and the Rise of Macedonia.
Same as CLAS 4031. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5041 (3). Classical Greek Political Thought.
Same as CLAS 4041. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5061 (3). Twilight of Antiquity.
Same as CLAS 4061 and HIST 5061. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5071 (3). Seminar in Ancient Social History.
Same as CLAS 4071. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5081 (3). The Roman Republic.
Same as CLAS 4081. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5091 (3). The Roman Empire.
Same as CLAS 4091. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5101 (3). Greek and Roman Slavery.
Same as CLAS 4101. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 5761 (3). Roman Law.
Same as CLAS 4761. Restricted to graduate students only.

CLAS 7011 (3). Seminar in Ancient History.
Examines topics in ancient Greek and Roman history at an advanced seminar level. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Restricted to graduate students only.