Seminar Classical Literature

Seminar in Classical Literature: Humanism of Herodotus
Herodotus (485-424 BC), “the Father of History”, is also regarded as the first sociologist and ethnographer. The plan and argument of his work, however, including its many fantastic stories, disclose a philosophic intention that resists easy categorization. Herodotus’ subject is the “Greek miracle”: how the tiny and fractious cities of Greece took concerted action against the overwhelming might of the Persian kings who invaded Greece in 490 and 479 BC. The story of this unlikely triumph of political freedom and limited government over despotic empire is told against the background of the Afro-Asiatic origins of Greek civilization, which Herodotus uncovers in wide-ranging investigations of the customs and religions of Greece, Lydia, Media, Persia, Egypt, Libya, and Scythia. In this seminar we will pursue a close reading of Herodotus in translation; the seminar is open to all students with some previous background in Greek and/or Roman literature. 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
Classics
Department:
Classics
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
EUR, LIT
Levels:
Undergraduate

Sections

Spring 2026

CLAS0420A-S26 Seminar

Spring 2025

CLAS0420A-S25 Seminar (Ganiban)
CLAS0420B-S25 Seminar (Ganiban)

Spring 2024

CLAS0420A-S24 Seminar (Sfyroeras)

Spring 2023

CLAS0420A-S23 Seminar (Star)

Spring 2022

CLAS0420A-S22 Seminar (Witkin)

Spring 2021

CLAS0420A-S21 Seminar (Witkin)
CLAS0420B-S21 Seminar (Witkin)

Spring 2020

CLAS0420A-S20 Seminar (Star)

Spring 2018

CLAS0420A-S18 Seminar (Witkin)

Spring 2017

CLAS0420A-S17 Seminar (Ganiban)

Spring 2016

CLAS0420A-S16 Seminar (Witkin)
CLAS0420B-S16 Seminar (Witkin)

Spring 2015

CLAS0420A-S15 Seminar (Sfyroeras)

Spring 2014

CLAS0420A-S14 Seminar (Witkin)
CLAS0420B-S14 Seminar (Witkin)

Spring 2013

CLAS0420A-S13 Seminar (Fishbone)

Spring 2012

CLAS0420A-S12 Seminar (Witkin)

Spring 2011

CLAS0420A-S11 Seminar (Star)

Spring 2010

CLAS0420A-S10 Seminar (Samponaro Steltenpohl)

Spring 2009

CLAS0420A-S09 Seminar (Sfyroeras)

Spring 2008

CLAS0420A-S08 Seminar (Ganiban)

Spring 2007

CLAS0420A-S07 Lecture (Chaplin)

Spring 2006

CLAS0420A-S06 Lecture (Star)

Spring 2005

CLAS0420A-S05 Lecture (Chaplin)

Spring 2004

CLAS0420A-S04 Lecture (Levitan)