This module is an introduction to the history of gender and sexuality in the societies of Greece and Rome, from the Archaic period to the advent of Christianity (eighth century BCE to fifth century CE). We will look at the different sources available to gender historians, such as poetry, history, drama, philosophy, medical writings, legal texts, and archaeological and visual evidence, to study the social constructions of masculinity and femininity in the ancient world; developments in women’s legal, social, and economic status; the status of same-sex relationships; and attitudes towards eunuchs and hermaphrodites. We will ask to what extent modern categories such as ‘homosexuality’ and ‘pornography’ can be applied to the ancient world.

• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of the key notions of gender history and history of sexuality.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern theories and debates in gender history, and an ability to express their own views.
• demonstrate a knowledge of a range of sources for ancient gender history and history of sexuality, including poetry, history, drama, legal texts, philosophical and scientific texts, and archaeological and visual evidence.
• analyse these sources and evaluate their biases, in particular male-centeredness, and significance.
• recognise changes in attitudes towards gender relationships and sexual behaviour from the eighth century BCE to the fifth century CE.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

20 lectures and 4 seminars; independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial

The lectures provide an introduction to a particular topic, establishing the key points of major course themes, identifying important issues, and providing guidance for more in-depth reading. They aim to provide a basic framework for understanding, and should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Slides will be used to illustrate the material discussed.

The seminars enable students to develop their source criticism skills by analysing and discussing key primary sources for the study of gender history, including literary texts, inscriptions, images, and artefacts. During seminars students will practise constructing arguments and debates, and 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 the major themes of the module.

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

• 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
• bibliographic and referencing skills
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management

The module will be assessed through a 2000-word essay and an exam consisting of one essay question and one source criticism exercise, weighted 70:30.

 The essay and exam questions will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and critical understanding of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to gender and sexuality in Greece and Rome.

 In the source criticism exercise, specific written or material sources relating to the ancient history of gender will be set, and students will have to assess their significance, thus deploying their knowledge of the issues and their interpretations.

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 social construction of gender difference and sexuality
• Archaic and Classical Greece: masculinity and femininity in Archaic poetry; gender and Spartan society; philosophical and scientific texts on gender; women and the law; same-sex relationships in an institutional context
• Hellenistic period: new attitudes to sex and love; new opportunities for women
• Rome in the Republic and Early Empire: women and the law; Roman constructions of masculinity and femininity; women and power; same-sex relationships in Roman society
• Late Antiquity and the impact of Christianity: Christian gender ideals; women and power; women philosophers
• eunuchs and hermaphrodites

M. Lefkowitz and M. Fant, Women's Life in Greece and Rome (third edition, 2005)

J. Rowlandson, Women and Society in Greek and Roman Egypt (1998)

P. Brown, The Body and Society: Men, Women and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity (1988)

J. Davidson, Courtesans and Fishcakes (1997)

M. Dillon, Girls and Women in Classical Greek Religion (2002)

K.J. Dover, Greek Homosexuality (1978)

M. Foucault, The Use of Pleasure: History of Sexuality, vol. 2 (translated from the French, 1985)

T.K. Hubbard, Homosexuality in Greece and Rome (2003)

T.K. Hubbard (ed.), A Companion to Greek and Roman Sexualities (2014)

E.C. Keuls, The Reign of the Phallus: Sexual Politics in Ancient Athens (1985)

M. Kilmer, Greek Erotica (1994)

H. King, Hippocrates’ Woman: Reading the Female Body in Ancient Greece (1998)

N.S. Rabinowitz and A. Richlin (eds.), Feminist Theory and the Classics (1993)

N.S. Rabinowitz and L. Auanger (eds.), Among Women: From the Homosocial to the Homoerotic in the Ancient World (2002).

A. Richlin (ed.), Pornography and Representation in Greece and Rome (1992)

M. Skinner, Sexuality in Greek and Roman Culture (2005)

S. Tougher, The Eunuch in Byzantine History and Society (2008)

J.J. Winkler, The Constraints of Desire (1990)

See the module handout for the full reading list.