Ancient Greek History: The Classical World Notes
Course Information
Course Code: HIAN301T
Instructor: Adeline GRAND-CLÉMENT
Contact: adeline.grand-clement@univ-tlse2.fr
Office Location: GH254
Academic Year: 2025-2026
Date: 26 September
Lesson Topics
The Social and Political Organization of Greek City-States
Sources for the Study of Ancient Greece
Text Analysis: Herodotus and Thucydides
Lesson 2: The Greeks and Their Gods
Homework Assignments
Reading Assignment:
Renshaw J., In Search of the Greeks, 2nd edition, London – New York, 2015, pages 18-25 (reminder) + 26-40.
Listening Assignment:
BBC Radio Program (In Our Time) on Aristotle’s Politics, complete questions available on IRIS webpage.
Viewing Assignment:
Trailer and introduction of the VRO Project, link available on IRIS webpage.
Lesson 1: The Social and Political Organization of Greek City-States
Definition of Polis
Polis = “city-state”
Exploration of what exactly the term polis entails in Greek society.
Non-Citizens and Their Contribution to the Polis
Metics
Definition: Metoikos = "those who live with" (foreign residents settled in a city-state)
Official Status: Recognized and strictly regulated; examples include registration on the roll of a deme.
Athenian Context: By 431 BC, there were approximately 25,000 male adult metics as opposed to 40,000-45,000 male citizens.
Rights and Responsibilities:
Excluded from political rights.
Assigned a “boss” (prostatès) for legal representation.
Subject to an annual tax (metoikion): 12 drachmas/year for men, 6 for women.
Inability to own land; primarily engaged in crafts or trade (notably in Piraeus).
Integration Opportunities:
Participation in honors, military service, cults, and public sacrifices (e.g., the Panathenaic procession in Athens).
Slaves
Essential for the functioning of city-states; recognized categories include:
Land-Bonded and State-Owned Slaves:
Examples: Spartan helots and penestae in Thessaly.
'Merchandise Slaves':
Viewed as chattel; owners can buy, sell, or lease them.
Philosophical Perspective (Aristotle):
Defines natural hierarchy of humans: "there are by nature some people who are free, the other slaves, and that for them the servile condition is both advantageous and just" (Politics, I, 1259b).
Children of slaves inherit their status.
Diversity Among Slaves:
Varied origins, duties, and activities; pricing varies based on age, sex, origin, and abilities.
Average price for slaves around 200 drachmas, with sources from regions like Scythia, Thrace, and Caria.
Domestic Slaves
Notable Artifacts:
The Grave Stele of Hegeso (c. 410–400 BC): Features a character likely a domestic slave, evidenced by the foreign sleeved garment versus the typical Greek peplos.
Treatment of Slaves
Mining Industry:
Harsh conditions illustrated by mining sites in Laurion.
Public Slaves
Crucial roles during the Athenian democracy, including:
Clerks for the Assembly and courts.
300 Scythian archers for city police.
Workers responsible for minting coins and infrastructure projects.
Emancipation of Slaves
Emancipation possible via contracts representing commercial transactions.
Freedmen hold a status akin to that of metics in Athens.
Conclusion on Polis
The Greek polis is a fluid political entity, evolving over time.
Exhibits political unity while displaying social disparity and inequality among groups, which varies by city-state.
Ethnos: A different type of political organization seen among clans and federations with pastoral lifestyles.
Sources for the Study of Greek History
Types of Sources
Literary Sources
Varied in quantity and quality by time and place, especially in Athens.
Genres vary significantly; critical examination of authors' goals and audience is essential.
Epigraphy
Involves private and public inscriptions on durable materials (stone, metal, terracotta).
Purpose is to record memories and convey information.
Archaeology
Examines material remains or “wordless objects” requiring interpretation.
Numismatics
Studies coins as historical artifacts.
Iconography
Analyzes visual representations in vases, sculptures, and reliefs.
Literary Works as Sources
Notable Historians:
Herodotus (484–425 BC): Focus on the Persian Wars.
Thucydides (460–400 BC): Analysis of the Peloponnesian War.
The selection of literary works was influenced by ancient editors and medieval scribes.
Cautionary Note: All sources require critical analysis in the context of historical understanding.
Key Literary Sources
Herodotus, Histories, excerpted to convey the gravity and narrative style.
Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War: Renowned for its analytical depth and historical significance.
Text Analysis Training: Becoming a Historian
Analysis of Herodotus and Thucydides
Keep attention to terms and expressions for deeper understanding.
Group Questions:
Identify selected works and key terms.
Discuss the professor’s choices in selected extracts and their significance.
Assess commonalities and differences between the two historians.
Selected Extracts
Herodotus, Histories, I, 1 and 5:
Examines the importance of history in preserving deeds of man, both grand and mundane.
Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, I, 1.1-3:
Discusses the dynamics of the Peloponnesian War, pointing to its unprecedented nature among Greeks and its broader implications.
Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, V, 26.1-3:
Reflects on the complexity of the war events, critiques peace agreements, and shares personal experiences as an observer.
Homework for Next Week
Develop a key question for a cross-analysis of the three extracts selected and propose an outline.
Listening to the two radio programs on Herodotus and Thucydides is recommended for additional context.