Ancient History

Ancient History at the University of Liverpool offers students a comprehensive and exciting exploration of the ancient civilizations that have shaped the modern world. This programme provides an in-depth study of the history, culture, politics, and society of ancient civilizations, including Greece, Rome, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and other important regions of the ancient Near East. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical activities, students will develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of the historical processes that have influenced Western and non-Western societies. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of democracy and philosophy in Greece to the grandeur of the Roman Empire, the complexity of Egyptian civilization, and the innovations of Mesopotamian cultures. Students have the opportunity to analyze ancient texts, inscriptions, and archaeological findings, gaining skills in interpretation and contextualization. The programme encourages an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from archaeology, anthropology, and art history to enrich understanding of the ancient world. Whether studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level, students will benefit from expert teaching staff who are active researchers in their fields. The curriculum is designed to foster a detailed understanding of ancient history and to develop research skills that are valuable in numerous careers. Graduates of the programme are well-equipped to pursue careers in education, museums, cultural heritage management, research, or further academic study. Studying Ancient History at Liverpool provides a stimulating environment with access to extensive libraries and archaeological collections, alongside opportunities for fieldwork and study trips. This dynamic and diverse programme prepares students not only to understand the ancient past but also to analyze its relevance and impact on contemporary society.

Programme Year One

120 credits spread evenly across two semesters

Required modules include (15 credits each):

• ‘Warfare, Politics, and Society in the Greek World, 510-323 BC’
• ‘Hannibal to Nero: An Introduction to Roman History’
• ‘Greek Myth and Society’
• ‘Using Visual Culture’

Optional modules can include (15 credits each):

• ‘Worlds of Odysseus’
• ‘Virgil and the Age of Augustus’
• Latin
• Greek

Compulsory modules

• Warfare, Politics, and Society In The Greek World, 510-323 B.c. (CLAH104) 
• Hannibal To Nero: An Introduction To Roman History (CLAH105)
• Using Visual Culture (CLAH114) 
• Greek Myth and Society (CLAH115) 

Optional modules

• The Worlds of Odysseus (CLAH101)
• Virgil and The Age of Augustus (CLAH102) 
• Greek Myth and Society (CLAH115) 
• Using Visual Culture (CLAH114) 
• Latin Ia (CLAH401) 
• Latin Ib (CLAH402) 
• Ancient Greek Ia (CLAH501)
• Ancient Greek Ib (CLAH502) 

Programme Year Two

120 credits spread evenly across two semesters

Required modules include (15 credits each):

• ‘Politics of the Past’
• ‘Class’
• ‘World of Herodotus
• ‘Ruling the Roman Empire’

Optional modules can include (15 credits each):

• ‘Rebuilding Troy’
• ‘Rome in the Late Republic’
• ‘Representing Women’
• ‘Ovid’s Metamorphosis’
• ‘Politics and Culture in 5th century Athens’
• ‘Nature and Virtue
• Latin
• Greek

Compulsory modules

• Politics of The Past In The Ancient World (CLAH200)
• Class and The Ancient World (CLAH202) 
• Herodotus, Persia and The Greeks (CLAH207)

Optional modules

• Rebuilding Troy (CLAH211) 
• Ovid's Metamorphoses (CLAH212) 
• Politics & Culture In 5th Century Bc Athens (CLAH220)
• Women In Antiquity (CLAH251) 
• Rome In The Late Republic (CLAH268) 
• Nature and Virtue: Ancient Ethics (CLAH299)
• Latin Iia (CLAH403)
• Latin Iib (CLAH404) 
• Latin Iva (CLAH423) 
• Latin Ivb (CLAH424) 
• Ancient Greek Iia (CLAH503) 
• Ancient Greek Iib (CLAH504) 
• Ancient Greek Iva (CLAH523) 
• Ancient Greek Ivb (CLAH524) 
• Ancient Greek Language Iib (CLAH654)

Programme Year Three

120 credits spread evenly across two semesters

• Dissertation (30 credits; required)

Optional modules can include (15 credits each):

• ‘Augustus and the Foundation of Empire’,
• ‘Rome’s West’,
• ‘Belief and Unbelief in Greek Religion’.
• ‘Augustus and the Foundation of Empire’
• ‘Seven  against Thebes’
• ‘Rules for the Muses’
• ‘Luxuries and Consumption’

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation (CLAH450) 

Optional modules

• Augustus and The Foundation of Empire (CLAH301)
• The Seven Against Thebes: Statius, Thebaid (CLAH305)
• Rules for The Muse: Ancient Literary Criticism (CLAH314)
• Rome's West: Life In Provincial and Italian Communities, 27bc-ad 250 (CLAH357)

Requirements

• Students who have followed the national curriculum (Attestat o Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii) must complete the University of Liverpool International Foundation Year or an equivalent foundation programme.
• Students offering A-levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 28 points or SATs can apply for direct entry to year one of undergraduate programmes.
• International Baccalaureate: 33 points
• IELTS 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component.
• Please note that TOEFL is no longer classified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as a secure English Language Test (SELT). However the University is continuing to accept TOEFL at the required level for entry onto undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes.

Scholarships

• Liverpool International College (LIC) Merit Award
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Award
• Vice Chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship

Ancient History at the University of Liverpool offers students an in-depth exploration of the history, culture, and civilizations of the ancient world. The program covers a broad range of topics including the history of Greece and Rome, the archaeology of ancient civilizations, and the development of early societies. Students have the opportunity to develop critical skills in evaluating historical sources, analyzing archaeological findings, and understanding the cultural contexts of ancient peoples. The curriculum is designed to provide both a broad overview of the ancient world and specialized knowledge in particular areas such as ancient warfare, religion, art, and literature. Through lectures, seminars, and practical archaeological work, students are encouraged to engage actively with primary sources and current research debates. The degree prepares graduates for careers in archaeology, museum curatorship, education, heritage management, and research. The University of Liverpool supports students with excellent facilities, including access to extensive historical archives and archaeological laboratories. The program also emphasizes employability skills, offering opportunities for placements and fieldwork both locally and internationally. With a combination of taught modules, independent research projects, and optional field trips, students gain a thorough understanding of ancient civilizations and their enduring influence on the modern world. The department’s team of experienced academics provides mentorship and guidance throughout the course, fostering an environment of academic excellence and critical inquiry. Graduates from the Ancient History program at Liverpool have gone on to work in various sectors related to history, archaeology, and heritage, contributing to cultural preservation and education initiatives worldwide. The program's flexible structure allows students to tailor their studies to particular interests within the field of ancient history, ensuring a personalized and comprehensive educational experience.