Courses about Ancient Civilisations

This module will look at the reception of the stories of biblical women in the visual arts, using a variety of tools from narratology, feminist interpretation, sociology, politics and visual exegesis. We will look a number of biblical texts where women appear as central or marginal and will examine the ways in which their story is depicted. We will look at the ways in which paintings will sometimes fill a gap in the story, or indeed diverge from its biblical model. The range of paintings will range from the medieval period, passing through the Renaissance to contemporary art.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

In this weekend course, we will examine the art and architecture of pre-Islamic Arabia and the role played mainly by Byzantines and Sasanians in the development of Islamic art.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Jerusalem is considered the holy city for the three monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and is one of the most iconic cities in the world.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Discover the mysterious people who lived in Central Italy and ended up being enveloped by the Romans.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

In 120 BC, Rome was a city-state with functioning republican institutions that made room for a substantial element of democracy. It was also the dominant power in the Mediterranean World. By 20 AD, Rome was the capital of an autocratic empire that covered virtually the whole of the Mediterranean World and most of its surrounding territories. Between these dates, Rome saw the collapse of its ancient governing institutions in an orgy of political assassination, civil wars, purges, and military dictatorships.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Pausanias wrote a fascinating account of his travels in Greece. Join this class to read and discuss Pausanias’ account of Athens and Attica as he saw it in around A.D. 175.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Discover the artistic production in some of the countries facing the Mediterranean Sea.



This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit

Come and explore with us the idea of ‘myth’. We will look at creation myths in Ugarit, in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, ancient Greece and in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Myth permeated all aspects of ancient society and much the same can be said today. Investigate the relevance and perseverance of the Greek myth and why these tales continue to fascinate.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

The Seven Wonders fascinate us, but what were they and why were they wonders? Using art, literature and



archaeology we'll explore possible answers. Includes a visit to the British Museum.



This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit

Discover eight fascinating ancient cities, which are amazing places to visit.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

A quarter of Shakespeare’s major works were based on stories from the Classical World and have influenced our view of the Classical World ever since.



This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit

Explore the little known history of pre-Columbian civilizations North of Mexico and their links to Aztec and other Mexican cultures.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Discover the establishment and the development of Islamic art in Central Asia.



This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit