Religious rituals and festivals were omnipresent in the Classical Greek world. Every important life-cycle event (birth, puberty, marriage, death), every political event, every turn of season was accompanied by religious events. The religious festivals and rituals of each Classical city-state reflected the general Greek religious system of practices and beliefs, while helping to define and reinforce the social and political identities of each state and of smaller social groups within it. In this module, we concentre on the analysis of the festivals, cults and beliefs of Classical Athens, one of the most powerful and influential of the Classical Greek states, and the one for which there is the most evidence, literary, documentary and archaeological. You are provided with a sourcebook which contains the most important sources for the study of Classical Athenian religion.

• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of the literary and material sources relevant to a study of Classical Greek religion, with an emphasis on Classical Athens.
• relate trends in Greek religion to the social, political and economic context of the period.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of different approaches to the study of ancient Greek religion.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern debates relevant to ancient Greek religion, and an ability to evaluate the evidence with reference to these debates.
• demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between textual and material evidence.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

10  lectures and 2 seminars; independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial; 1 revision session

The lectures present an outline of the literary and archaeological evidence for Classical Athenian religion, and provide a framework for the interpretation of that evidence by introducing the major approaches and debates that have shaped research into the subject. They should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Where appropriate slides and handouts are used to illustrate the material discussed. A sourcebook is provided to all students.

The seminars provide an opportunity for students to analyse and discuss key issues and topics in the module, and to get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Handouts with material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the seminars.

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes and lecture topics.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• analysis of a variety of different types of historical evidence, such as literary texts and material evidence
• observation and visual analysis
• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management
• bibliographic and referencing skills

The module will be assessed through an essay consisting of one source analysis exercise (100%).

In the source analysis exercise, specific written or material sources relating to Classical Greek religion (with an emphasis on Athens) will be set, and students will be required to explain how they contribute to our understanding of the nature of Classical Greek religion, deploying their knowledge of the period and interpretations of the material.

Type of assessment = CW

% Contribution = 100

Title = Coursework - essay

Duration
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = Autumn semester

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students who fail the module will normally be expected to resit the failed component(s) in the summer resit period.

• the meaning of the central acts of Greek religion
• cults: their actors and locations
• heroes and kings of Athens
• Athena and the Panathenaia
• rituals for the young
• rituals celebrating fertility, marriage and women
• mysteries and salvation
• healing cults
• cults of Dionysus and Athenian theatre
• philosophy and religion at Athens

W. Burkert, Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical (1977, English translation 1985)

L. Bruit Zaidman and P. Schmitt Pantel, Religion in the Ancient Greek City (English translation, 1992)

P.A. Easterling and J. Muir, Greek Religion and Society (1985)

E. Kearns, Ancient Greek Religion: A Sourcebook (2010)

J.D. Mikalson, Ancient Greek Religion (2004)

D. Ogden (ed.), A Companion to Greek Religion (2007)

R. Parker, On Greek Religion (2011)

J.P. Vernant, Myth and Society in Ancient Greece (1974)

See the module handout for the full reading list.