The Coming of the Sea Peoples: The Trojan War in the context of Mycenaean Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age
The Late Bronze Age is a story of collapse, from New Kingdom Egyptian to Hittite Anatolia, from the Assyrian Empire to Babylonian turmoil. Mycenaean Greece is a part of this and the Coming of the Sea Peoples is a terror that echoes through the pages of history. Come learn about how the world as we knew it ended!
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This course explores the great civilisations of the Late Bronze Age at the moment just before their collapse. We begin by reconstructing a connected world stretching from Egypt and Anatolia to Mesopotamia and Mycenaean Greece-a world of palace economies, long-distance trade, and diplomatic networks linking the great powers of the eastern Mediterranean. Only once this world has been properly understood do we turn to its sudden and dramatic breakdown, traditionally associated with the so-called “Sea Peoples.” Who were they? How serious was their impact? And why did so many civilisations fail at roughly the same time? The course combines narrative history with discussion of the underlying structures -economic, political, and environmental - that made this world both impressive and fragile.
What will we cover?
The course is structured as a sequence of linked lectures:
Introduction: The Late Bronze Age world and its sources
Chronology: How we date the Bronze Age (“The Question of Dates”)
Egypt: From stability to crisis after the New Kingdom
Mesopotamia: Babylon and the wider eastern system
The Hittites: Imperial power in Anatolia
Crete and Mycenae: Palace societies in the Aegean
Troy: Between myth and archaeology
Trade and Economy: How the system held together
Climate and Environment: Evidence for long-term stress
The “Sea Peoples”: Identity, evidence, and interpretation
The End of the Bronze Age: Collapse and its aftermath
Throughout, the emphasis is on how these societies functioned as a connected system, rather than as isolated cultures.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
describe the main civilisations of the Late Bronze Age and how they interacted;
understand how trade, diplomacy, and political power were organised across the eastern Mediterranean;
evaluate competing explanations for the collapse of this system;
distinguish between myth (for example, the Trojan War) and the historical realities behind it;
place the “Sea Peoples” within a broader and more complex historical framework.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge is required. The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in ancient history, though it will also appeal to those who wish to engage more seriously with historical evidence and interpretation.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is taught online through a series of structured lectures, supported by visual material and opportunities for questions and discussion. Some light reading between sessions is recommended for those who wish to deepen their understanding
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All essential materials will be provided electronically. A short reading list will be suggested for those who wish to explore the topic further.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may wish to continue with further courses on Greek history, the ancient Near East, or the classical world more generally.
Sean has been teaching Greek, Latin, and History for over thirty-five years. He has taught in England, America, Europe, and Asia, working with students of all ages and backgrounds. Despite all this, he remains as captivated by the Ancient World as when, aged seven, he first stumbled across a retelling of the Iliad and Odyssey. Alongside his teaching, he has published over forty books, including translations, textbooks, and historical fiction. He is, by general agreement, a rather good second-rate novelist — which is not a bad thing to be.
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-coming-of-the-sea-peoples-the-trojan-war-in-the-context-of-mycenaean-greece-and-the-eastern-mediterranean-in-the-late-bronze-age234120The Coming of the Sea Peoples: The Trojan War in the context of Mycenaean Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Agehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/t/rt259-1080.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Classical literature/Courses/Online courses228511771191147417311228511771191The Late Bronze Age is a story of collapse, from New Kingdom Egyptian to Hittite Anatolia, from the Assyrian Empire to Babylonian turmoil. Mycenaean Greece is a part of this and the Coming of the Sea Peoples is a terror that echoes through the pages of history. Come learn about how the world as we knew it ended!002991605The Coming of the Sea Peoples: The Trojan War in the context of Mycenaean Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/t/rt259-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRT259219219The Coming of the Sea Peoples: The Trojan War in the context of Mycenaean Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age219142219Sean Gabbthe-coming-of-the-sea-peoples-the-trojan-war-in-the-context-of-mycenaean-greece-and-the-eastern-mediterranean-in-the-late-bronze-age/rt259-2526The Late Bronze Age is a story of collapse, from New Kingdom Egyptian to Hittite Anatolia, from the Assyrian Empire to Babylonian turmoil. Mycenaean Greece is a part of this and the Coming of the Sea Peoples is a terror that echoes through the pages of history. Come learn about how the world as we knew it ended!0000-Available|2026-05-07 00:00:00<p>This course explores the great civilisations of the Late Bronze Age at the moment just before their collapse.<br>We begin by reconstructing a connected world stretching from Egypt and Anatolia to Mesopotamia and Mycenaean Greece-a world of palace economies, long-distance trade, and diplomatic networks linking the great powers of the eastern Mediterranean.<br>Only once this world has been properly understood do we turn to its sudden and dramatic breakdown, traditionally associated with the so-called “Sea Peoples.” Who were they? How serious was their impact? And why did so many civilisations fail at roughly the same time?<br>The course combines narrative history with discussion of the underlying structures -economic, political, and environmental - that made this world both impressive and fragile.</p>The Late Bronze Age is a story of collapse, from New Kingdom Egyptian to Hittite Anatolia, from the Assyrian Empire to Babylonian turmoil. Mycenaean Greece is a part of this and the Coming of the Sea Peoples is a terror that echoes through the pages of history. Come learn about how the world as we knew it ended!<p>The course is structured as a sequence of linked lectures:</p><ol><li><strong>Introduction</strong>: The Late Bronze Age world and its sources</li><li><strong>Chronology</strong>: How we date the Bronze Age (“The Question of Dates”)</li><li><strong>Egypt</strong>: From stability to crisis after the New Kingdom</li><li><strong>Mesopotamia</strong>: Babylon and the wider eastern system</li><li><strong>The Hittites</strong>: Imperial power in Anatolia</li><li><strong>Crete and Mycenae</strong>: Palace societies in the Aegean</li><li><strong>Troy</strong>: Between myth and archaeology</li><li><strong>Trade and Economy</strong>: How the system held together</li><li><strong>Climate and Environment</strong>: Evidence for long-term stress</li><li><strong>The “Sea Peoples”</strong>: Identity, evidence, and interpretation</li><li><strong>The End of the Bronze Age</strong>: Collapse and its aftermath</li></ol><p>Throughout, the emphasis is on how these societies functioned as a connected system, rather than as isolated cultures.</p><ul><li>describe the main civilisations of the Late Bronze Age and how they interacted;</li><li>understand how trade, diplomacy, and political power were organised across the eastern Mediterranean;</li><li>evaluate competing explanations for the collapse of this system;</li><li>distinguish between myth (for example, the Trojan War) and the historical realities behind it;</li><li>place the “Sea Peoples” within a broader and more complex historical framework.</li></ul><p>No prior knowledge is required.<br>The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in ancient history, though it will also appeal to those who wish to engage more seriously with historical evidence and interpretation.</p><p>The course is taught online through a series of structured lectures, supported by visual material and opportunities for questions and discussion.<br>Some light reading between sessions is recommended for those who wish to deepen their understanding</p><p>All essential materials will be provided electronically. A short reading list will be suggested for those who wish to explore the topic further.</p><p>You may wish to continue with further courses on Greek history, the ancient Near East, or the classical world more generally.</p>Ancient civilisationsClassical literaturevirtual219219142RT259NONEThu07/05/26 - 09/07/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineSean GabbBeginnersAvailable courses2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities219219The Coming of the Sea Peoples: The Trojan War in the context of Mycenaean Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Agethe-coming-of-the-sea-peoples-the-trojan-war-in-the-context-of-mycenaean-greece-and-the-eastern-mediterranean-in-the-late-bronze-age/rt259-2526The Late Bronze Age is a story of collapse, from New Kingdom Egyptian to Hittite Anatolia, from the Assyrian Empire to Babylonian turmoil. Mycenaean Greece is a part of this and the Coming of the Sea Peoples is a terror that echoes through the pages of history. Come learn about how the world as we knew it ended!0000-Available|2026-05-07 00:00:00<p>This course explores the great civilisations of the Late Bronze Age at the moment just before their collapse.<br>We begin by reconstructing a connected world stretching from Egypt and Anatolia to Mesopotamia and Mycenaean Greece-a world of palace economies, long-distance trade, and diplomatic networks linking the great powers of the eastern Mediterranean.<br>Only once this world has been properly understood do we turn to its sudden and dramatic breakdown, traditionally associated with the so-called “Sea Peoples.” Who were they? How serious was their impact? And why did so many civilisations fail at roughly the same time?<br>The course combines narrative history with discussion of the underlying structures -economic, political, and environmental - that made this world both impressive and fragile.</p>The Late Bronze Age is a story of collapse, from New Kingdom Egyptian to Hittite Anatolia, from the Assyrian Empire to Babylonian turmoil. Mycenaean Greece is a part of this and the Coming of the Sea Peoples is a terror that echoes through the pages of history. Come learn about how the world as we knew it ended!<p>The course is structured as a sequence of linked lectures:</p><ol><li><strong>Introduction</strong>: The Late Bronze Age world and its sources</li><li><strong>Chronology</strong>: How we date the Bronze Age (“The Question of Dates”)</li><li><strong>Egypt</strong>: From stability to crisis after the New Kingdom</li><li><strong>Mesopotamia</strong>: Babylon and the wider eastern system</li><li><strong>The Hittites</strong>: Imperial power in Anatolia</li><li><strong>Crete and Mycenae</strong>: Palace societies in the Aegean</li><li><strong>Troy</strong>: Between myth and archaeology</li><li><strong>Trade and Economy</strong>: How the system held together</li><li><strong>Climate and Environment</strong>: Evidence for long-term stress</li><li><strong>The “Sea Peoples”</strong>: Identity, evidence, and interpretation</li><li><strong>The End of the Bronze Age</strong>: Collapse and its aftermath</li></ol><p>Throughout, the emphasis is on how these societies functioned as a connected system, rather than as isolated cultures.</p><ul><li>describe the main civilisations of the Late Bronze Age and how they interacted;</li><li>understand how trade, diplomacy, and political power were organised across the eastern Mediterranean;</li><li>evaluate competing explanations for the collapse of this system;</li><li>distinguish between myth (for example, the Trojan War) and the historical realities behind it;</li><li>place the “Sea Peoples” within a broader and more complex historical framework.</li></ul><p>No prior knowledge is required.<br>The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in ancient history, though it will also appeal to those who wish to engage more seriously with historical evidence and interpretation.</p><p>The course is taught online through a series of structured lectures, supported by visual material and opportunities for questions and discussion.<br>Some light reading between sessions is recommended for those who wish to deepen their understanding</p><p>All essential materials will be provided electronically. A short reading list will be suggested for those who wish to explore the topic further.</p><p>You may wish to continue with further courses on Greek history, the ancient Near East, or the classical world more generally.</p>Ancient civilisationsClassical literatureconfigurable
14741191Classical literaturehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/classical-literature1/2/285/1177/1191/14741/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Classical literature
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