Art and society in the Great Age of Athens (478-403 BCE)

City Lit

Course

In London

£ 189 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Location

    London

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Athens in the fifth century BC, often described as a Golden Age, due to the city's extraordinary political successes and cultural achievements. We will consider what life was like in fifth-century Athens, drawing on a varied range of evidence, including literature and archaeology. Throughout, there will be a focus on the city's artistic products, especially the visual arts. A visit to the British Museum is included, for a close look at the Parthenon sculptures and other notable artworks of the period. There will be no class on 25 October.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
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Keeley Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BA

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

• Have a good overview of what life was like in fifth-century Athens, including key historical events which affected the city in this period.
• Understand the main developments in Athenian art of the period, recognising key stylistic features.
• Discuss and evaluate different types of evidence which historians and archaeologists use to help them to understand this period.

You may wish to bring a pen and paper to take notes, and may decide to make limited book purchases, but these are entirely optional. You may also wish to borrow books from the library.

Teaching will be through illustrated lectures, handouts and group discussion, enhanced by a museum visit partway through the course. There will be some suggestions for further reading which you may choose to do outside of the class to enhance your learning and enjoyment but these will be entirely optional.

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Subjects

  • Art
  • Archaeology

Course programme

The course will provide a chronological overview of the period, including political and military developments such as the Delian League, the Peloponnesian Wars and the Sicilian Expedition. Within this context we will look in more depth at topics including:
• The Athenian home: what do we know from archaeology and written sources about typical houses? What were the roles of men and women?
• The Symposium: a detailed look at these drinking parties for male elites.
• Democracy: how did the Athenian democracy actually function? Who was included and excluded?
• The Periklean building programme: a close look at the stunning buildings erected in the time of the great statesman, Perikles, including the Parthenon.
• Greek theatre: tragedy and comedy
• Artistic developments in vase painting and sculpture.

Additional information

A wide range of other courses relating to the classical world and other ancient cultures. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00. See the course guide for term dates and further details

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Art and society in the Great Age of Athens (478-403 BCE)

£ 189 VAT inc.

The best Cultural Interests courses

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