2022-23

Upon the imposition of the Pax Romana, the Greek world was to enjoy an extraordinary cultural renaissance from the middle of the 1st century AD to the mid 3rd century. This phenomenon was promoted chiefly by the upper classes of the Greek poleis, under the aegis of the Romans, who were enthusiastic admirers of Greek culture, and is associated with many well-known names, such as that of Lucian, Dio Chrysostom and Pausanias. These draw their materials from the glories of the Classical past, to produce a new Greek culture.

This course examines both the rise and expansion and the decline and fall of the British Empire from 17th to the 21st centuries. Its main goal is to examine the issues that arise from occupation by an imperial power, both for the conquered and the conquerors. It shows the unsystematic fashion in which the empire expanded,  in which it was influenced both by chance, risk and venture and by political and social circumstances in Britain itself.

The course recounts, chiefly on the basis of archaeological finds, these two cultures that are related to one another. One succeeded the other and during the transitional period from one to the other covered the same ground.

The aim of the course is to acquaint students of the department with the main trends in European art from the Renaissance to the artistic currents of the 20th century, that is, with the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococco, Neo-Classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism and Surrealism. The course links the visual arts with the historical and social milieu in which they arose and developed. Students are encouraged to reflect and make suggestions as to how art may be validly and effectively employed in the teaching of history.

The course examines the concept of diaspora and its significance for the understanding of basic questions in modern and contemporary Greek political, social and economic history. The course deals with such matters as the foundation, organization and development of Greek communities abroad, with the aim of offering a composite view of the phenomenon of the Greek diaspora in broader terms.