Explores the origins of Greek civilisation. Begins with a survey of the earliest eras before examining the island and mainland civilisations of the Aegean Bronze Age, the Greek 'Dark Age' following their collapse, and the 'Greek Renaissance' of the Archaic Era. Themes may include: historiography and archaeology; the political evolution of Greek states; trade, colonisation, and intercultural relationships; Panhellenism and the evolution of Greek identity; the evolution of social structures (such as the practice of slavery, the status of women, the composition and role of the aristocracy); culture, art, philosophy and the uniqueness of the 'Greek experiment'.

Students will develop familiarity with the archaic period of Greek history.