Module CLAS2741: The World of the Phoenicians

Department: Classics and Ancient History

CLAS2741: The World of the Phoenicians

Prerequisites

• Module Code: CLAS1601 Remembering Athens

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop a deeper understanding of the history and culture of ancient Phoenicia.
• To show awareness of scholarly approaches and debates and to develop one's own views on the religious, social, political, and economic development of ancient Phoenicia.
• To explore and analyse in detail a variety of material, literary, and visual sources.
• In the context of departmental degree programmes, the module will prepare students for further study of the ancient Near East at level three.

Content

• The Phoenicians played a fundamental role in shaping the history of the Mediterranean. Lauded by Homer as unrivalled navigators and traders, they are known to have founded colonies across the length of North Africa and into Southern Spain, yet as a people they have largely remained an enigma. For students of the Bible, the Phoenicians are commonly associated with the worship of Baal and with Canaanite culture. Whilst for students of the classical world, the Phoenicians are most commonly associated with sailing, trade, and their alphabet, which they disseminated throughout the Mediterranean basin. This module aims to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding this ancient culture. Presenting the latest research and archaeological discoveries, it explores the social, political, economic, and ecological changes that occurred in Phoenicia between the Early Bronze Age and the start of the Hellenistic era. Phoenician government and society, agriculture and economy, trade and colonisation, warfare, religion, and art and architecture are all discussed in order to illustrate the character and achievements of this vibrant civilisation, which was able to maintain its unique identity and culture in the face of external threats from states such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia.

Learning Outcomes

• A sound knowledge of Phoenician history and archaeology.
• An understanding of the relevant literary and epigraphic evidence and insight into source-specific problems, as well as a basic grasp of the current scholarly debates pertaining to Phoenician history during the first Millennium BC.
• An understanding of the ‘orientalising’ phenomena and it impact upon studies of ancient Phoenicia.
• The value of cross-cultural and cross-temporal studies when reconstructing Phoenician society, religion, economy, and politics.

• The ability to apply methodology appropriate for the type of evidence.
• The capacity to develop analytical and evaluative skills when handling ancient sources.
• The ability to use and understand modern scholarship when formulating an argument.
• The ability to draw conclusions from a broad variety of sources and to apprehend the problems arising from ancient documents.
• The ability to engage with modern scholarly literature, based on understanding of a given argument.

• The skills needed to analyse, evaluate, and synthesise a wide range of evidence, and to select and apply the methodologies appropriate in different cases;
• The capacity to sustain a clear, well-structured, and well-defended argument in written form;
• The ability and self-discipline to work autonomously, and the capacity for organisation required to meet deadlines and to negotiate competing claims on finite resources;
• Facility with key IT resources: in particular, the ability to use word-processors and online databases;
• Also the ability to make fruitful use of internet resources.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures are appropriate to the imparting of information and of methods of interpretation, of both ancient evidence and modern scholarship.
• Text classes provide the opportunity to engage with a range of literary and epigraphic evidence.
• Writing essays enables the assembling and evaluation of material and the formulation of logical and coherent argument, as well as skills in written English.
• Seminars contribute to the critical handling of evidence and facility of discussion.
• Final examination tests ability to focus relevantly on historical issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One formative essay (2,500 words) in Michaelmas Term.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University