Nike ("Victory") Adjusting her Sandal (photo by P. Debnar)

Mount Holyoke College The Athenian Empire Classics 224 (updated 1/29/08) Time: TuTh 2:40-3:55 Room: Williston Library 418 Instructor: Paula Debnar Office:Ciruti 202 Office hours: M 3:30-5:00 (or by appointment) Phone: x2873

Athens in the fifth-century BCE, the period when its empire was at its height, brings to mind Pericles, the Parthenon, the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the comedies of Aristophanes, the Sophists, Socrates, and democracy. As we study the Athenian empire from its inception following the Persian Wars through Athens' defeat by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War, we will ask such questions as: What do we mean by "empire"? What did the Greeks mean? How did Athens obtain, extend, and maintain its power? Why did Sparta and her allies oppose it? What were the benefits and costs (the plusses and minuses) of empire for Athens? For its subject-allies? What connections were there, if any, between Athens' empire and its rise as an intellectual and artistic center (the "School of Hellas") ? Between its empire and democracy? How was Athens' power like or unlike that exercised by today's nation states? We will focus on primary sources, including the histories of Herodotus and Thucydides, the records of Athens' dealings with allies and building programs at home, and selected works of Athenian art and literature . Course Requirements: 30% Midterm: take home essay exam 20% Class participation 10% In-class presentation 10% Short written response to a reading 30% Final: take-home essay exam For students taking the course for 300-level credit there will be additional class meetings, in which you will prepare for and present progress reports on a short research project due at the end of the semester.   Texts (available at the Odyssey at the Village Commons) Basic timeline for Athens from sixth to fifth century BCE (MSWord) Weekly assignments and topics are posted on the course ella site.