Full entry requirements

About this Course

The aim of this degree is to provide you with an understanding of societies and cultures in the past, with particular emphasis on Ancient Greece and Rome. A central theme is the interpretation of both classical texts and material remains, and the sometimes paradoxical relationship between them.

First Year

You will be introduced to Greek and Roman history, and you will undertake two language tools modules, one using material in ancient Greek and one in Latin, which introduce basic features of the languages as well as the types of documentary sources relevant to ancient history. You will study the archaeological past from the origins of the human species to the 21st century and the aims and methods of archaeology. At the end of the First Year you will participate in an excavation training school at the Iron Age hillfort of Burrough Hill in Leicestershire.

Second Year

All students choose two aspects of Greek and Roman history to study in detail. Choices vary from year to year but may include:

• The Development of the Greek City-State
• Classical and Hellenistic Greek States
• Roman Imperialism and its Consequences
• Interaction and Exchange: Egypt, Greece and Mesopotamia

These modules are taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, with a strong emphasis on encountering ancient primary sources in translation. There is also an optional module in classical and post-classical Latin, which provides you with the opportunity to develop your language skills further.

You also select two archaeological modules to study in detail. Choices include:

• Early Prehistory
• Iron Age and Roman Archaeology
• The Archaeology of the Mediterranean World
• Medieval and Early Modern Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Artefact Analysis

Core courses (taken by all students) will introduce you to Sources and Methods in Ancient History, and to Professional Skills in Archaeology.

At the end of the year you participate in a research excavation, which can take place anywhere in the world, although some students undertake a visit to Rome instead.

Third Year

You will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, which may be focused on either Ancient History or Archaeology. You also choose four specialist modules from a wide selection in both Archaeology and Ancient History.

Ancient History choices vary from year to year but may include modules such as:

• Sparta in the Greek World
• The Greek World after Alexander
• The Ancient World on Film
• North Africa in Late Antiquity
• Households and Domesticity in the Ancient World

These are taught through seminars and challenge you to approach historical problems at a more advanced theoretical level, and to refine your skill in evaluating evidence and drawing conclusions from it.

Archaeological choices currently include period specialisms such as:

• Human Origins
• Britain in the Roman Empire
• Early Christian Europe

Thematic modules including:

• The Archaeology of Death
• The Archaeology of Hunter-Gatherers
• Warfare, Conflict and Violence in Antiquity

Science-based methodological courses such as:

• Forensic Archaeology
• Ceramic Technology
• Archaeozoology
• Human Skeletal Analysis 

Contact

The Admissions Team
School of Archaeology and Ancient History
0116 252 2720/2611
arch-anchist@leicester.ac.uk
www.le.ac.uk/archaeology

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