ARY1010

Origins of Western civilisation 1: the Bronze Age

E A Carvalho and C A Hope

6 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives To provide a basic introduction to major cultures of the Bronze Age Mediterranean which contributed to the origins of Western civilisation.

Synopsis The subject provides an overview of four major cultures (Egyptian, Minoan, Mycenaean and Hittite) of the Mediterranean Bronze Age. In the process of studying their differing political, social, economic and religious systems and their cultural exchange and interaction, students are confronted with varieties of source material, monuments, artefacts and texts, upon which the reconstruction of ancient societies is based. Fundamental aims throughout are to introduce students to the methodology of archaeology and textual analysis and to train them in the development of critical appraisal of evidence.

Assessment Map assignment: 10% - Two tutorial essays (1250 words each): 50% - Examination (2 hours): 40%

Recommended texts

Cadogan G Palaces of Minoan Crete Methuen, 1980
Gurney O The Hittites Penguin, 1978
Knapp A The history and culture of ancient Western Asia and Egypt Dorset Press, 1988
Quirke S and Spencer J The British Museum book of Ancient Egypt British Museum Press, 1992
Wardle K and D Mycenaean Greece Duckworth, 1990

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