Explore the history of gender non-conformity in the Ancient World, journeying from the steppes of the Ancient Near East, to the complex religious rituals of Ancient Cyprus, and the elusive cult of the Magna Mater to explore the compelling evidence of Transgender and Non-Binary lives across the Ancient World.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This lecture will journey across the Ancient World, from Sumer in the Ancient Near East, to Cyprus, Rome and Greece to explore the diverse and colourful spectrum of gender across time. Evidence from ancient art, grave goods, and literature will be contextualised alongside their contemporary ideas on gender, as part of a broader discussion on how we can view gender non-conformity across the Ancient World. Through introducing discussion of the instability of ancient gender identities, and the potential for gender fluidity across Ancient religion and magic, we will unveil evidence for the long and complicated history of gender identity, and what the potential impacts of this might be.
What will we cover?
This lecture will explore the presence of non-conforming gender across the Ancient World, discussing how concepts of Queer Theory have enabled a re-evaluation of the presence of what may be termed ‘Transgender’ or ‘Non-Binary’ lives in Antiquity. We will cover the art, literature, and archaeology, of ancient Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, from 3000 BCE to 300 CE, to discuss how we can discover evidence of gender non-conformity through time.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss how Queer Theory has informed and developed studies of gender in Ancient History
Have a developed understanding of the problems of assigning gender in archaeological remains
Have a nuanced perspective of key terminology we can apply to the study of gender in Antiquity
Be able to discuss the presence of gender non-conformity in various regions of the Ancient World
A solid knowledge of ancient literature, mythology, and art, which can be used to evidence ancient Transgender or Non-Binary lives
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginner level course, no skills or previous knowledge are required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This will be taught as a lecture, after which we will have space for further discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Students may wish to bring note taking equipment, but there is no requirement to bring anything.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/exploring-gender-identities-in-the-ancient-world3050914Exploring gender identities in the Ancient Worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Online courses/Courses/vm/Pride at City Lit228511771191119217311345512285117711911653<p>Explore the history of gender non-conformity in the Ancient World, journeying from the steppes of the Ancient Near East, to the complex religious rituals of Ancient Cyprus, and the elusive cult of the Magna Mater to explore the compelling evidence of Transgender and Non-Binary lives across the Ancient World.</p>003050905Exploring gender identities in the Ancient World2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-06-19T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRC1022929Exploring gender identities in the Ancient World291929Yentl Loveexploring-gender-identities-in-the-ancient-world/rc102-2526<p>Explore the history of gender non-conformity in the Ancient World, journeying from the steppes of the Ancient Near East, to the complex religious rituals of Ancient Cyprus, and the elusive cult of the Magna Mater to explore the compelling evidence of Transgender and Non-Binary lives across the Ancient World.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-19 00:00:00<p>This lecture will journey across the Ancient World, from Sumer in the Ancient Near East, to Cyprus, Rome and Greece to explore the diverse and colourful spectrum of gender across time. Evidence from ancient art, grave goods, and literature will be contextualised alongside their contemporary ideas on gender, as part of a broader discussion on how we can view gender non-conformity across the Ancient World. Through introducing discussion of the instability of ancient gender identities, and the potential for gender fluidity across Ancient religion and magic, we will unveil evidence for the long and complicated history of gender identity, and what the potential impacts of this might be. </p><p>Explore the history of gender non-conformity in the Ancient World, journeying from the steppes of the Ancient Near East, to the complex religious rituals of Ancient Cyprus, and the elusive cult of the Magna Mater to explore the compelling evidence of Transgender and Non-Binary lives across the Ancient World.</p><p>This lecture will explore the presence of non-conforming gender across the Ancient World, discussing how concepts of Queer Theory have enabled a re-evaluation of the presence of what may be termed ‘Transgender’ or ‘Non-Binary’ lives in Antiquity. We will cover the art, literature, and archaeology, of ancient Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, from 3000 BCE to 300 CE, to discuss how we can discover evidence of gender non-conformity through time.</p><ul><li>Discuss how Queer Theory has informed and developed studies of gender in Ancient History</li><li>Have a developed understanding of the problems of assigning gender in archaeological remains</li><li>Have a nuanced perspective of key terminology we can apply to the study of gender in Antiquity</li><li>Be able to discuss the presence of gender non-conformity in various regions of the Ancient World</li><li>A solid knowledge of ancient literature, mythology, and art, which can be used to evidence ancient Transgender or Non-Binary lives</li></ul><p>This is a beginner level course, no skills or previous knowledge are required.</p><p>This will be taught as a lecture, after which we will have space for further discussion.</p><p>There are no additional costs. Students may wish to bring note taking equipment, but there is no requirement to bring anything.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual292919RC102NONEFri19/06/2619:30 - 21:0019:3021:001 session1One-off onlyEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineYentl LoveBeginnersAvailable courses2026-06-19T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities2929Exploring gender identities in the Ancient Worldexploring-gender-identities-in-the-ancient-world/rc102-2526<p>Explore the history of gender non-conformity in the Ancient World, journeying from the steppes of the Ancient Near East, to the complex religious rituals of Ancient Cyprus, and the elusive cult of the Magna Mater to explore the compelling evidence of Transgender and Non-Binary lives across the Ancient World.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-19 00:00:00<p>This lecture will journey across the Ancient World, from Sumer in the Ancient Near East, to Cyprus, Rome and Greece to explore the diverse and colourful spectrum of gender across time. Evidence from ancient art, grave goods, and literature will be contextualised alongside their contemporary ideas on gender, as part of a broader discussion on how we can view gender non-conformity across the Ancient World. Through introducing discussion of the instability of ancient gender identities, and the potential for gender fluidity across Ancient religion and magic, we will unveil evidence for the long and complicated history of gender identity, and what the potential impacts of this might be. </p><p>Explore the history of gender non-conformity in the Ancient World, journeying from the steppes of the Ancient Near East, to the complex religious rituals of Ancient Cyprus, and the elusive cult of the Magna Mater to explore the compelling evidence of Transgender and Non-Binary lives across the Ancient World.</p><p>This lecture will explore the presence of non-conforming gender across the Ancient World, discussing how concepts of Queer Theory have enabled a re-evaluation of the presence of what may be termed ‘Transgender’ or ‘Non-Binary’ lives in Antiquity. We will cover the art, literature, and archaeology, of ancient Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, from 3000 BCE to 300 CE, to discuss how we can discover evidence of gender non-conformity through time.</p><ul><li>Discuss how Queer Theory has informed and developed studies of gender in Ancient History</li><li>Have a developed understanding of the problems of assigning gender in archaeological remains</li><li>Have a nuanced perspective of key terminology we can apply to the study of gender in Antiquity</li><li>Be able to discuss the presence of gender non-conformity in various regions of the Ancient World</li><li>A solid knowledge of ancient literature, mythology, and art, which can be used to evidence ancient Transgender or Non-Binary lives</li></ul><p>This is a beginner level course, no skills or previous knowledge are required.</p><p>This will be taught as a lecture, after which we will have space for further discussion.</p><p>There are no additional costs. Students may wish to bring note taking equipment, but there is no requirement to bring anything.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
11921191Ancient civilisationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/ancient-civilisations-11/2/285/1177/1191/11921/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations
