Ancient Egypt II - Egypt in Decline

Course Description

COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys the archaeology and history of ancient Egypt from the end of the New Kingdom through the Graeco-Roman period, focusing on the years 1185-30 BCE. Examines the decline of pharaonic power, the rise of foreign influences and the resilience of Egyptian society under Libyan, Nubian, Persian and Ptolemaic rule. Reviews the interplay between political, social and cultural dynamics, exploring Egyptian adaptations to Hellenistic dominance, while tracing continuity and change in art, religion, literature and urban development. Through lectures, readings and analyses of primary and secondary sources, students gain a humanistic understanding of Egyptian civilization during its final dynastic phases and develop skills in interpreting archaeological, textual and iconographic evidence. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues pertaining to ancient Egypt. TOPICS AND THEMES. Decline of pharaonic authority; fragmentation of the Egyptian state; Libyan, Nubian and Persian interventions; internal political strife and social change; resilience of Egyptian cultural identity; Ptolemaic dynasty and Hellenistic influence; Cleopatra VII and the last Ptolemies; Alexandria as a cultural and economic center; Greco-Egyptian art, religion and literature; continuity and transformation of Egyptian traditions; interactions between foreign rulers and Egyptian elites; archaeological and textual methods for reconstructing late Egyptian history; humanistic approaches to interpreting material culture; synthesis of historical, artistic and archaeological evidence. Prerequisites: Completion of ANTH 436/RELS 436 or RELS 436/ANTH 436 recommended but not required; junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: RELS 438/ANTH 438.

Code

ANTH 438

Credits

3

Subject

ANTH