Gender and sexuality in the ancient world: an introduction
An introduction to the study of gender and sexuality across the ancient world, including the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We will explore how and why we talk about the lived experiences of diverse gender and sexual practices across the ancient world, and what impact this might have on our understanding of history.
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This course will introduce concepts of gender and sexuality across ancient world history, encountering diverse historical objects and literature, from Ancient Egyptian tombs, to Ancient Greek pottery, and Near Eastern texts. Together, we will deepen our understanding of varying cultural ideas of gender and sexuality through time, and become familiar with the ways in which we can recognise and speak about these ideas. We will discuss how literary and artistic evidence of these experiences can impact how we view the past, as well as how we construct our own histories.
What will we cover?
The course will begin with an introduction of how we can accurately discuss gender and sexuality in the ancient world, and what ancient evidence emerges in these conversations. Each subsequent week we will then build upon this discussion, with a new aspect of ancient gender and sexuality being introduced thematically, including concepts such as heroic masculinity, ancient ideas of women’s sexuality, and evidence for ancient Transgender lives.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss how and why we can use Queer Theory to improve our understanding of gender and sexuality in the ancient world;
Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the spectrum of gender and sexuality across the ancient world;
Have a working knowledge of specific ancient texts introduced across the course, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and Plato’s Symposium;
Be able to discuss the differences between same-sex practices in various cultures across the ancient Mediterranean;
Be aware of the complications of discussing sexuality and gender identity in ancient history, and how we can best discuss these lived experiences
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course acts as an introduction to the subject of Ancient Gender and Sexuality, and so can be taken by anyone with an interest in the ancient world. It does not require any pre-existing knowledge of ancient history, or the history of gender and sexuality.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be no work outside class, although optional pre-reading and further reading will be provided for those who wish to investigate further. Teaching will be a combination of lecture and seminar discussion. We will also have a space on Google Classroom for discussion outside of class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs.
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/gender-and-sexuality-in-the-ancient-world-an-introduction3003388Gender and sexuality in the ancient world: an introductionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Online courses228511771191119217311228511771191<p>An introduction to the study of gender and sexuality across the ancient world, including the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We will explore how and why we talk about the lived experiences of diverse gender and sexual practices across the ancient world, and what impact this might have on our understanding of history.</p>003021466Gender and sexuality in the ancient world: an introduction6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-06-11T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRC6146969Gender and sexuality in the ancient world: an introduction694569Yentl Lovegender-and-sexuality-in-the-ancient-world-an-introduction/rc614-2526<p>An introduction to the study of gender and sexuality across the ancient world, including the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We will explore how and why we talk about the lived experiences of diverse gender and sexual practices across the ancient world, and what impact this might have on our understanding of history.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-11 00:00:00<p>This course will introduce concepts of gender and sexuality across ancient world history, encountering diverse historical objects and literature, from Ancient Egyptian tombs, to Ancient Greek pottery, and Near Eastern texts. Together, we will deepen our understanding of varying cultural ideas of gender and sexuality through time, and become familiar with the ways in which we can recognise and speak about these ideas. We will discuss how literary and artistic evidence of these experiences can impact how we view the past, as well as how we construct our own histories.</p><p>An introduction to the study of gender and sexuality across the ancient world, including the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We will explore how and why we talk about the lived experiences of diverse gender and sexual practices across the ancient world, and what impact this might have on our understanding of history.</p><p>The course will begin with an introduction of how we can accurately discuss gender and sexuality in the ancient world, and what ancient evidence emerges in these conversations. Each subsequent week we will then build upon this discussion, with a new aspect of ancient gender and sexuality being introduced thematically, including concepts such as heroic masculinity, ancient ideas of women’s sexuality, and evidence for ancient Transgender lives.</p><ul><li>Discuss how and why we can use Queer Theory to improve our understanding of gender and sexuality in the ancient world;</li><li>Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the spectrum of gender and sexuality across the ancient world;</li><li>Have a working knowledge of specific ancient texts introduced across the course, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and Plato’s Symposium;</li><li>Be able to discuss the differences between same-sex practices in various cultures across the ancient Mediterranean;</li><li>Be aware of the complications of discussing sexuality and gender identity in ancient history, and how we can best discuss these lived experiences</li></ul><p>This course acts as an introduction to the subject of Ancient Gender and Sexuality, and so can be taken by anyone with an interest in the ancient world. It does not require any pre-existing knowledge of ancient history, or the history of gender and sexuality. </p><p>There will be no work outside class, although optional pre-reading and further reading will be provided for those who wish to investigate further. Teaching will be a combination of lecture and seminar discussion. We will also have a space on Google Classroom for discussion outside of class.</p><p>There are no additional costs.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual696945RC614NONEThu11/06/26 - 02/07/2619:00 - 20:3019:0020:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineYentl LoveSome experienceAvailable courses2026-06-11T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Gender and sexuality in the ancient world: an introductiongender-and-sexuality-in-the-ancient-world-an-introduction/rc614-2526<p>An introduction to the study of gender and sexuality across the ancient world, including the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We will explore how and why we talk about the lived experiences of diverse gender and sexual practices across the ancient world, and what impact this might have on our understanding of history.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-11 00:00:00<p>This course will introduce concepts of gender and sexuality across ancient world history, encountering diverse historical objects and literature, from Ancient Egyptian tombs, to Ancient Greek pottery, and Near Eastern texts. Together, we will deepen our understanding of varying cultural ideas of gender and sexuality through time, and become familiar with the ways in which we can recognise and speak about these ideas. We will discuss how literary and artistic evidence of these experiences can impact how we view the past, as well as how we construct our own histories.</p><p>An introduction to the study of gender and sexuality across the ancient world, including the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We will explore how and why we talk about the lived experiences of diverse gender and sexual practices across the ancient world, and what impact this might have on our understanding of history.</p><p>The course will begin with an introduction of how we can accurately discuss gender and sexuality in the ancient world, and what ancient evidence emerges in these conversations. Each subsequent week we will then build upon this discussion, with a new aspect of ancient gender and sexuality being introduced thematically, including concepts such as heroic masculinity, ancient ideas of women’s sexuality, and evidence for ancient Transgender lives.</p><ul><li>Discuss how and why we can use Queer Theory to improve our understanding of gender and sexuality in the ancient world;</li><li>Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the spectrum of gender and sexuality across the ancient world;</li><li>Have a working knowledge of specific ancient texts introduced across the course, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and Plato’s Symposium;</li><li>Be able to discuss the differences between same-sex practices in various cultures across the ancient Mediterranean;</li><li>Be aware of the complications of discussing sexuality and gender identity in ancient history, and how we can best discuss these lived experiences</li></ul><p>This course acts as an introduction to the subject of Ancient Gender and Sexuality, and so can be taken by anyone with an interest in the ancient world. It does not require any pre-existing knowledge of ancient history, or the history of gender and sexuality. </p><p>There will be no work outside class, although optional pre-reading and further reading will be provided for those who wish to investigate further. Teaching will be a combination of lecture and seminar discussion. We will also have a space on Google Classroom for discussion outside of class.</p><p>There are no additional costs.</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
Modern Greek 2 upper: module 3Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00
