Greek Literature of the Fifth Century BCE
- Course Code
- CLAS 0030
- Course Type
- Tutorials
- Subject Credit
- Course Availability
Through the genres of history, lyric and drama, this course explores the life and thinking of fifth-century BCE Greek city-states, with new ideas about morality and identity being introduced to Athens by the Sophists, while some hold on to the aristocratic values of the Homeric hero.
Texts:
Herodotus, Histories Books 1 and 7
Pindar, Pythian 1 and 9 and Olympian 1
Sophocles, Ajax
Euripides, Hippolytus
Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae
Sample topics:
- Herodotus’ approach to the differences between Greeks and barbarians
- Pindar’s use of myths and imagery to praise victors
- The treatment of the themes of community and honour in the Ajax
- Psychology and religion in the Hippolytus
- Gender politics and the relationship between comedy and tragedy in the Thesmophoriazusae
- How literature of the 5th century BCE approaches religion
There is no language requirement for this tutorial: all texts are taught in English translation. However, if you do have the relevant language skills then it can be taught through the original texts: contact the Senior Tutor to discuss this.