Classics
The Classics Department at Columbia University is one of the most dynamic centers for the study of Classical Antiquity in the United States. It offers a wide range of courses in ancient civilization, ancient literature, and Greek/Latin language courses.
For questions about specific courses, contact the department.
Courses
This course looks at the narrative and the historical context for an extraordinary event: the conquest of the Persian empire by Alexander III of Macedonia, conventionally known as “Alexander the Great”. We will explore the different worlds Alexander grew out of, confronted, and affected: the old Greek world, the Persian empire, the ancient near-east (Egypt, Levant, Babylonia, Iran), and the worlds beyond, namely pre-Islamic (and pre-Silk Road) Central Asia, the Afghan borderlands, and the Indus valley. The first part of the course will establish context, before laying out a narrative framework; the second part of the course will explore a series of themes, especially the tension between military conquest, political negotiation, and social interactions. Overall, the course will serve as an exercise in historical methodology (with particular attention to ancient sources and to interpretation), an introduction to the geography and the history of the ancient world (classical and near-eastern), and the exploration of a complex testcase located at the contact point between several worlds, and at a watershed of world history.
Course Number
CLCV3058S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2024
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/10091Enrollment
25 of 25Instructor
Lien Van GeelThis course looks at the narrative and the historical context for an extraordinary event: the conquest of the Persian empire by Alexander III of Macedonia, conventionally known as “Alexander the Great”. We will explore the different worlds Alexander grew out of, confronted, and affected: the old Greek world, the Persian empire, the ancient near-east (Egypt, Levant, Babylonia, Iran), and the worlds beyond, namely pre-Islamic (and pre-Silk Road) Central Asia, the Afghan borderlands, and the Indus valley. The first part of the course will establish context, before laying out a narrative framework; the second part of the course will explore a series of themes, especially the tension between military conquest, political negotiation, and social interactions. Overall, the course will serve as an exercise in historical methodology (with particular attention to ancient sources and to interpretation), an introduction to the geography and the history of the ancient world (classical and near-eastern), and the exploration of a complex testcase located at the contact point between several worlds, and at a watershed of world history.
Course Number
CLCV3058S002Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2024
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
002/12364Enrollment
20 of 25Instructor
Emma IanniCourse Number
CLLT3310S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2024
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/10072Enrollment
11 of 25Instructor
Marissa SwanCourse Number
CLLT3310S002Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2024
Times/Location
Mo 13:00-16:10We 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
002/10073Enrollment
6 of 25Instructor
Valeria SpaccianteCourse Number
GREK1121S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
6 ptsSummer 2024
Times/Location
Mo 13:00-16:10Tu 13:00-16:10We 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/10074Enrollment
0 of 20Instructor
Geoffrey HarmsworthEquivalent to Latin 1101 and 1102. Covers all of Latin grammar and syntax in one term to prepare the student to enter Latin 1201 or 1202. This is an intensive course with substantial preparation time outside of class.