CLAS-1312 Greeks, Romans, and Persians

This course will explore the history and legacy of contact between Greek, Roman and Persian cultures through an examination of archaeology, visual sources and text. With the help of a number of primary and secondary historical and theoretical readings, we will analyze architecture, sculpture and 'minor' arts that both reflect, and reflect on, this cultural exchange. The course's primary focus will span from the sixth century BCE and the rise of Cyrus the Great, through the war between Alexander the Great and Darius the III in the fourth century BCE, and up to the 4th century CE with the Sasanian Empire and beginnings of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine Empire. Though focused specifically on the relationship between Ancient Greece, Rome and Persia, this course will ultimately enable students to identify and reflect on parallels in modern discourse as they relate to the constructs of "West" and the "East." (Also listed as HIST 1312.)