From Goths to Mongols: A Horde-able History (with British museum visit)

Discover who were the barbarians in the Ancient and Medieval World. How did the Chinese and the West interact with ‘the other’? Were the Vikings simply ‘long-haired tourists who occasionally roughed up the natives’ (Wallace-Hadrill 1975)? We will spend the morning at the City Lit and afternoon at the  British museum.    

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  • Start Date: 23 May 2026
    End Date: 23 May 2026
    Last Spaces Left
    Sat (Daytime): 11:00 - 16:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 1 session
    Course Code: HWH147
    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00
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Book your place
In stock
Only 4 left
SKU
237080
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00

What is the course about?

A brief survey of the barbarians on the periphery of China and Europe from c. 200 BCE– 1300 CE. A morning lecture will be followed by a visit to look at relevant artefacts in the British Museum.  

What will we cover?

We begin by looking what made a people ‘civilised’ as opposed to ‘barbarian’ during the above period. How could you recognise them, and what measures could you use to ‘accommodate’ them? Are there common factors that can be identified when studying the ‘barbarian world’ beyond European and non-European cultures?

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Locate and explain who the Xiongnu were
• Identify common features when studying the ‘barbarian’ in both the East and West
• Reflect on and question how you define ‘the other’.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

No prior knowledge required. However, a good standard of reading, writing and speaking English is essential.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points and then we will be reading and discussing contemporary sources (in translation). You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no other expenses other than note-taking materials. You are not expected to purchase any reading material. All essential reading will be supplied in class on the day.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please see our Global and Imperial History area for further details.  

Vanessa King
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.