CX296-15 The Archaeology of Thebes
Introductory description
This module proposes to explore one of Classical antiquity’s most famous cities, Thebes. As the archetype of the ethnos/koinon (federal state), Thebes and the wider region of Boeotia is typically considered in opposition to the polis (city-state) model embodied by Athens. As such, the monuments and material culture of Thebes are rarely studied on their own merits. Sites like the Ismenion and Herakleion are not widely known. This module provides an introduction to the city of Thebes from prehistory to the Roman period, placing a particular emphasis on local styles and communities of practice.
Module aims
This module will develop students’ knowledge of the topography of Thebes and the wider region of Boeotia, focusing on the 6th and 5th centuries BCE in particular. It will encourage students to think critically about historiographic traditions and how these have shaped contemporary scholarly interest in and assessments of Boeotia from the 18th century to the present day. The assessments and seminars will deepen students’ understanding of Boeotian material culture through close observation of ancient artifacts and encourage them to think critically about the ethical issues inherent in the trade of ancient art and artifacts by researching the provenance and collection history of artifacts in the Ashmolean Museum.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Term 2: Archaeology of Thebes Week 1 – Historiography and topography Week 2 – Looting and repatriation (case studies of Tanagra Larnakes, Athanias Stele) Seminar 1 – Why context matters: a material culture debate Week 3 – Early Thebes Week 4 – Forming identities: The Ismenion and Pindar Week 5 – A local hero: Herakles and the Theban Herakleion Seminar 2 –Boeotian pottery Week 6 – Reading week Week 7 – The Ptoion sanctuary and its oracle Week 8 – Eleon and the limits of Theban expansion Week 9 – A landscape of memory: Theban tombstones and statue bases Week 10 – The Kabirion and mystery cults
Term 3: Week 1 – The refoundation of Thebes and Hellenistic Boeotia Week 2 – Pausanias in Boeotia: Mapping myths Week 3 – Student-led paper workshopping session
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- A familiarity with major building programmes and their historical contexts.
- A deeper understanding of the topography of Thebes and its major monuments.
- An appreciation for the unique and innovative elements of Boeotian material culture.
- A deeper ability to critically assess primary sources and their biases.
- The ability to set their interpretations into a wider comparative context, drawing in other aspects of the study of the ancient world.
- An increased awareness of the ethical dimension to antiquities collecting and museology.
Indicative reading list
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Research element
- Students will research and write a report centred on a Boeotian artifact held in the Ashmolean Museum collection (2,500 words).
Subject specific skills
Ability to identify and date Greek material culture; Ability to identify and integrate literary and archaeological data; Awareness of cultural patrimony debates and archaeological ethics.
Transferable skills
Critical thinking; Ability to conduct research; Ability to summarize information effectively; Ability to tailor writing to different audiences; Connoisseurship; Museological skills.
Study time
| Type | Required | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%) | |
| Seminars | 2 sessions of 1 hour (1%) | |
| Tutorials | 1 session of 15 minutes (0%) | |
| External visits | (0%) | 1 session of 3 hours |
| Private study | 19 hours 45 minutes (13%) | |
| Assessment | 110 hours (73%) | |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Weekly readings will provide additional historical context and reinforce content covered in lectures and seminars.
Costs
| Category | Description | Funded by | Cost to student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field trips, placements and study abroad |
Optional Ashmolean trip (date TBD). Students will have the opportunity to conduct in person autopsy of Boeotian material culture. |
Student | £40.00 |
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| Museum collections and archaeological context exercise | 40% | 50 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Students will research and write a report centred on a Boeotian artifact held in the Ashmolean Museum collection (2,500 words). A list of suggested artifacts will be provided on Moodle. After a critical assessment of the artifact’s provenance and acquisition, students will compare the artifact to similar examples from archaeologically attested contexts and consider what information has been lost through the antiquities trade. |
|||
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Assessment component |
|||
| Essay | 60% | 60 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Students will chose from a list of titles on the topography and monuments of Athens and Thebes and conduct original research. Topics will encourage close engagement with literary sources and surviving archaeological remains. |
|||
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Written feedback using departmental rubric.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 2 of UCXA-Q800 BA in Classics
- Year 2 of UCXA-VV16 Undergraduate Ancient History and Classical Archaeology
- Year 2 of UCXA-VV19 Undergraduate Ancient History and Classical Archaeology with Study Abroad
- Year 2 of UCXA-VV18 Undergraduate Ancient History and Classical Archaeology with Study in Europe
- Year 2 of UCXA-Q820 Undergraduate Classical Civilisation
- Year 2 of UCXA-Q821 Undergraduate Classical Civilisation with Study in Europe
- Year 2 of UCXA-Q801 Undergraduate Classics (Ancient Greek) with Study in Europe
- Year 2 of UCXA-Q802 Undergraduate Classics (Latin) with Study in Europe
- Year 2 of UCXA-QQ37 Undergraduate Classics and English
- Year 2 of UCXA-QQ39 Undergraduate English and Classical Civilisation
- Year 2 of UITA-RQ38 Undergraduate Italian and Classics
- UCXA-Q822