CLSX 525 (lines 46440, 46441) / HA 525 (lines 46583, 46584):

Aegean Bronze Age Archaeology & Art

(Fall 2007; TR 1:00-2:15; 211 Spencer Museum of Art)

Last update: 3 August 2007
Lion Gate Relief, Mycenae, ca. 1475 BCE (the gate, however, is dated ca. 1300)


JOHN G. YOUNGER

Professor, Department of Classics
2110 Wescoe
email: jyounger@ku.edu


Office Hours: MF 11-2:30, TR 11-12:30, W 11-3:00

If these office hours are impossible, email me to arrange for other times.


Course Description: This course surveys the Aegean Bronze Age, concentrating on its art and society, with emphases on architecture and the development of administration and writing.


Course Goals: Besides a familiarity with a set of ancient cultures in the Aegean Basin, the student should also obtain an introductory understanding of the complexities in retrieving culture through archaeology and in understanding societies through their art and artifacts.


Required Texts
There are no required texts to be purchased.


Additional Course Materials


Grading


NO other Homework will be collected, but you are expected to have read the assigned readings before coming to class so we can have an informed discussion.


Attendance. I will take attendance at 10 randomly chosen class sessions; students who are NOT present at 3 of those sessions will be penalized. You are strongly encouraged to come to each class, since almost ALL the material on the exams, including slide illustrations, will come from the lectures.


FINAL GRADE: Your final semester grade will be based fairly equally on Midterrm, Final exam, and Term paper/project, and also to some extent on your in-class participation and attendance. I am always impressed by dramatic improvement over the course of the semester.


How to get a good grade in this class
  • Read the readings BEFORE coming to lecture.
  • Participate in class discussions; ask questions in class; tell me your name until I have memorized it.


    Complaints: If you have a complaint, please discuss it first with me. If you feel that you cannot discuss it with me, you may take your complaint to the Chair of the Classics Department, Professor Pamela Gordon (pgordon@ku.edu). If you do not receive a satisfactory solution, you may submit a written complaint to Associate Dean Kim McNealy in the College office in Strong Hall.


    Plagiarism, Cheating, and Forgery: I regard cheating on the exams and term papers/projects as a very serious offense. All attempts to take credit for work that is not your own or to assist others in doing so will be dealt with according to the policies of the College of Liberal Arts; at the very least, I will NOT give the cheating student credit for the work, and I may fail the cheating student.


    Special Accommodations: Anyone who has a disability which may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements should contact the Office of Student Disabilities to acquire the proper form that will allow me to make appropriate arrangements.


    General Handbooks; see end of syllabus for library and call number
  • Christopoulus & Bastias, History of the Hellenic World, vol 1: Prehistory & Protohistory
  • Cullen (ed.), Reviews of Aegean Prehistory
  • Dickinson, Aegean Bronze Age
  • Evans, Palace of Minos
  • Hood, Arts in Prehistoric Greece
  • Kenna, Cretan Seals
  • Marinatos & Hirmer, Crete & Mycenae
  • Vermeule, Greece in the Bronze Age
  • Boardman, Greek Gems & Fingerrings (chap 1)
  • Warren, Aegean Bronze Age
  • Zervos, Civilisation hellénique
  • Zervos, Naissance de la civilisation en Grèce
  • Buchholz, H-G, & V Karageorghis, Prehistoric Greece and Cyprus



    LECTURE TOPICS & READINGS

    16 (R) Aug: Introduction to the Course, Basic Chronology & Terminology, Maps


    21 (T) & 23 (R) Aug: The Palaeolithic Inhabitation of Greece to the Neolithic Colonization of Crete
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, "Chronology," "Environment," "History," "Lessons 1 & 2" : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Zervos, Art en Grèce, du troisième millénaire au IVe siècle avant notre ère


    28 (T) Aug: The Early Bronze Age in the Cyclades (Early Cycladic)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 4 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Doumas, Cycladic Art
    Zervos, Art des Cyclades


    30 (R) Aug: Practice map drawing; you will draw freehand a map of Greece and locate on it: Troy, Mycenae, Knossos, Pylos, Athens, Naxos, Thera, Melos, Dimini, Lerna


    30 (R) Aug: The Early Bronze Age on the Mainland (Early Helladic)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 3, 7 & 8 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/


    4 & 6 (T, R) Sep: The Early Bronze Age in Crete (Early Minoan)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 5 & 6 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Branigan, Foundations of Palatial Crete


    11 (T) Sep: The Protopalatial Period in Crete (Middle Minoan 1-II)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 10 & 11 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Betancourt, History of Minoan Pottery


    13 (R) Sep: The Middle Bronze Age in the Cyclades (Middle Cycladic) and on the Mainland (Middle Helladic)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 9 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Cullen, Review II
    Hood, pp. 38-41


    18-27 (T R, T R): The Neopalatial Period in Crete (Middle Minoan III - Late Minoan I
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 12-15 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Barber, Prehistoric Textiles
    Marinatos, Function of the Minoan Palaces
    Marinatos, Minoan Religion
    Graham, Palaces of Crete
    Hägg, R., The Master Impression
    Platon, Zakros
    Warren, Minoan Stone Vases (the relief rhyta)


    2 (T) Oct: tell me your term paper/project topic - a list of suggested topics appears at the end of this syllabus. Please come by my office (2110 Wescoe) to talk about it, or email me (jyounger@ku.edu)


    2, 4 (T R) Oct: The Shaft Grave Period (Late Helladic I)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 16 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Vermeule, Art of the Shaft Graves


    9 (T) Oct: Midterm
    Midterm template (including Map quiz)


    16-23 (T R T) Oct: Akrotiri and the Eruption of Thera (Late Minoan IA advanced), the Late Minoan IB Destructions
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 17 & 18 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Doumas, Wall Paintings of Thera
    Doumas, Thera, Pompeii of the Aegean
    Marinatos, N., Art & Religion in Thera
    Marinatos, S., Excavations at Thera
    Morgan, Miniature Wall Paintings of Thera
    Rutkowski, Cult Places of the Aegean


    25, 30 (R T) Oct: The Arrival of the Mycenaeans in Crete (Late Minoan IB-III A1, Late Helladic IIB-III A1)
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 19 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Long, Ayia Traidha Sarcophagus
    Hägg, R., and N. Marinatos, Sanctuaries & Cults in the Aegean Bronze Age
    Immerwahr, Aegean Painting


    1, 6, 8 (R T R) Nov: The Mycenaean Hegemony
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 20-26 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Blegen, Palace of Nestor, vol. 1 (Pylos, the palace & contents), 2 (the wall paintings)
    Chadwick, Mycenaean World (palaces & administration)
    Demakopoulou, The Mycenaean World (art & objects)
    Hooker, Introduction to Linear B
    Mylonas, Mycenae and the Mycenaean Age (Mycenae, the palace)
    Renfrew, Archaeology of Cult (into to cult-identification, Phylakopi sanctuary)
    Ventris & Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek (Linear B)
    Vermeule & Karageorghis, Mycenaean Pictorial Vase Painting
    Wace, Mycenae, an archaeological history and guide (Mycenae, the palace)


    13 (T) Nov: Ulu Burun & Cape Gelidonya Shipwrecks
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 22 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/


    15, 20 (R T) Dec: Troy
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lessons 7, 23, 27 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/


    21-26 Nov - Thanksgiving Break


    27 (T) Nov: Mycenaean Cyprus
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 28 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/


    29 (R) Nov & 4 (T) Dec: Collapse
    Required Readings for THIS topic
  • Rutter, Lesson 28 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/


    6 (R) Dec: Transition to the Early Iron Age
    Required Readings for THIS topic
    Textbooks
  • Rutter, Lesson 29 : http://devlab.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/
    Recommended Readings for THIS topic
    Nilsson, Minoan-Mycenaean Religion and its Survival in Greek Religion
    Homer, Iliad & Odyssey


    Suggestions for Term Projects


    Architecture
    create a scale model (using styrofoam board) that is pinned together (2-3 people per project):
  • Pylos palace (with frescoes on the walls)
  • Tiryns palace (with frescoes restored)
  • Xeste 3 VR (with frescoes on the walls)
  • the House of the Tiles, Lerna: drawing or model
  • Nirou Chani model
  • Pyrgos model

    put Mainland fortified sites (Lerna, Mycenae, Tiryns, Midea, Athens, Pylos) plans at a single scale together on one large piece of paper


    Computer programing
  • redesign for PCs the Mac program "Vase" (I have this program; you draw the profile of the vase on the computer screen, give a dimension, and it calculates the volume) - or design a PC program that does this
  • design a VR tour (one person/site) of the Pylos palace or Xeste 3


    Compiling catalogues
  • griffins on sealstones, wall frescoes, and in other media
  • women's hairstyles
  • Early Cycladic marble figurines
  • processions


    Misc
    take sections of my book-in-progress, The Female Experience in Prehistoric Greece, and "flesh out" sections
    take sections of my book-in-progress, Aegean Bronze Age Art and Archaeology, and "flesh out" sections
    kilns
    animals (esp. monkeys) in fresco
    performance spaces
    monkeys & girls



    To return to the top of this document


    John Younger

    Books and Articles


    Barber, E.Prehistoric TextilesWatson GN776.2.A1 B37 1990
    Betancourt, P.P.History of Minoan PotteryWatson DF221.C8 B564 1985
    Blegen, CW The Palace of Nestor, vols. 1 & 2Watson 913.033 B615p 1966
    Boardman, J.Greek Gems and Finger Rings Art & Archit. NK5565 .B62
    Branigan, K.Foundations of Palatial CreteWatson DF261.C8 B7
    Buchholz, H-G, & V KarageorghisPrehistoric Greece and CyprusWatson DF220 .B713
    Chadwick, J.The Mycenaean WorldWatson DF220 .C43
    Christopoulus & BastiasHistory of the Hellenic World, vol 1: Prehsitory & ProtohistoryWatson folio DF759 .H5813 1975
    CullenReviews of Aegean PrehistoryWatson WHAT
    Demakopoulou, KThe Myceneaen WorldArt & Archit. DF220 .C43
    Dickinson, OTPKAegean Bronze AgeWatson DF220 .D49 1994
    Doumas, ChristosWall Paintings of TheraWatson DF221.T38 D69 1992
    Doumas, ChristosThera, Pompeii of the AegeanWatson DF221.T38 D68 1983
    Doumas, ChristosCycladic ArtArt & Archit. N5899.C9 D592 1983
    Evans, A.Palace of Minos, all 7 vols.Watson DF221.C8 E75 1964
    Gesell, G.House CultWatson folio DF220.3 .G47 1985
    Graham, J.W.Palaces of CreteWatson DF221.C8 G7 1987
    Hägg, R.The Master ImpressionWatson folio DF221.C8 H33 1985
    Hägg, R., and N. MarinatosSanctuaries & Cults in the Aegean Bronze AgeWatson folio BL785 .S26 1981
    Homer (trans. Lombardo)IliadWatson PA4025.A2 L66 1997
    Homer (trans. Lombardo)OdysseyWatson PA4025.A5 L66 1997
    Hood, S.The Arts in Prehistoric GreeceArt & Archit. N5310.5.G8 H66
    Hooker, T.J.Linear B: An IntroductionWatson P1038 .H66 1980
    Immerwahr, S.Aegean PaintingArt & Archit. ND2570 .I45 1990
    Kenna, V.E.G.Cretan SealsWatson folio CD5363 .K4
    Long, C.Ayia Triadha SarcophagusWatson folio DF221.C8 L6
    Marinatos, N.Art & Religion in TheraWatson DF221.T38 M367 1984
    Marinatos, N.Function of the Minoan PalacesWatson folio DF221.C8 F86 1987
    Marinatos, N.Minoan ReligionWatson BL793.C7 M34 1993
    Marinatos, S., and Max HirmerCrete & MycenaeArt & Archit. folio N5660 .M3513x
    Marinatus, S.Excavations at Thera, all 7 vols.Watson DF261.T4 M3, M32, M33, M34, M37
    Morgan, L.Miniature Wall Paintings of TheraWatson DF221.T38 M67 1988
    Mylonas, G.Mycenae and the Mycenaean AgeWatson 913.388031 M994m 1966
    Nilsson, M.Minoan-Mycenaean Religion and its Survival in Greek ReligionAnschutz 068.485 H88s no.9 1971
    Platon, N.ZakrosWatson DF221.C8 P586
    RehakRole of the RulerWatson WHAT
    Renfrew, C.The Archaeology of CultWatson DF221.P6 R46 1985
    Rutkowski, B.Cult Places of the AegeanWatson BL785 .R88 1986
    Ventris, M., & J. ChadwickDocuments in Mycenaean GreekWatson 481.7 V567d 1956
    Vermeule, E.T.Greece in the Bronze AgeWatson 913.38 V591g 1964
    Vermeule, E.T.Art of the Shaft GravesWatson DF221.M9 V47
    Vermeule, E.T., & V. KarageorghisMycenaean Pictorial Vase PaintingArt & Archit. folio NK4646 .V47 1982
    Wace, A.Mycenae, an archaeological history and guide. Watson 913.388 W11
    Warren, P.Aegean Bronze AgeWatson DF220 .W358 1989
    Warren, P.Minoan Stone VasesArt & Archit. NK4646 .W3
    Zervos, ChristienArt de la Crète néolithique et minoenne. Art & Archit. folio N5660 .Z4
    Zervos, ChristienArt des Cyclades, du début à la fin de l'âge du bronze, 2500-1100 avant notre ère. Art & Archit. folio N5899.C9 Z4 1957
    Zervos, ChristienArt en Grèce, du troisième millénaire au IVe siècle avant notre ère. Art & Archit. folio N5630 .Z5 1946
    Zervos, ChristienCivilisation hellénique.Art & Archit. folio DF77 .Z47
    Zervos, ChristienNaissance de la civilisation en Grèce. Watson folio GN815 .Z4