From Alexander to Cleopatra

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No prior knowledge required.

Content of Course

1. Introduction. The rise of Macedon in the 4th century BC. Graeco-Persian relations in the 5th and 4th centuries BC.

2. Alexander in Asia Minor.

3. Alexander in the Levant and Egypt.

4. Alexander in the Achaemenid heartland.

5. Alexander in the East. His posthumous reputation and significance.

6. The Seleucid dynasty.

7. Greece and Macedon after Alexander.

8. The Attalids of Pergamum.

9. The Ptolemies of Egypt.

10. Cleopatra.

Teaching method(s)

Lecture-based with discussion.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the period from the birth of Alexander to the death of Cleopatra in terms of individual figures and significant events;

• Evaluate and use various ancient source materials (in translation);

• Demonstrate an appreciation of how history is actually written from a particular viewpoint, and become more aware of the strengths and limitations of various sources.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• Bowman, A., 1986. Egypt after the Pharaohs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Erskine, A. ed., 2005. A Companion to the Hellenistic World. Oxford: Blackwell.

• Lane Fox, R., 1986. Alexander the Great. Hammondsworth: Penguin.

• Green, P., 1990. Alexander to Actium. London: Thames and Hudson.

• Shipley, G., 2000. The Greek World after Alexander (323-30 BC). London and New York: Routledge.

• Worthington, I., 2003. Alexander the Great: A Reader. London and New York: Routledge.

Recommended:

• Green, P., 1991. Alexander of Macedon, 356 - 323 BC. Berkeley: University of California Press.

• Walbank, F.W., 1981. The Hellenistic World. Glasgow: Fontana.

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.