Ancient Athens and the Birth of Political Thought

This study abroad class in Athens and beyond will explore the political thought of ancient Greece through an examination of philosophical texts, archaeological sites, and historical monuments. Pericles famously called Athens the “school of Hellas,” underscoring the city’s role as a leader in the Greek world and a hub of artistic, cultural, and philosophical innovation. Indeed, the city not only pioneered theatre, paving the way for our own forms of popular entertainment, it also made important contributions to architecture, pottery, and sculpture. But it is in the realm of politics and philosophy that Athens secured unsurpassed greatness. During its Golden Age, Athens produced the first—and arguably the most radical—democracy the world has known. The practice of Athenian democracy and the real power it gave to ordinary citizens raised important philosophical questions, above all: Who should rule—and why? Today, many of our most basic political ideas and vocabulary come to us from Greeks: “politics,” “democracy,” “anarchy,” “monarchy,” “tyranny,” “anarchy,” to name a few. 

Beneath the Acropolis, in the shade of cypresses and olive groves, thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle asked enduring questions about justice, power, and the good life. In this course, we will examine these ideas at the sites where this remarkable history unfolded. We will discuss the trial of Socrates in the ancient Agora, where he famously declared, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” We will walk in the footsteps of philosophers at the Acropolis, explore the Kerameikos where Pericles honored the Athenian dead, and run in the very stadium where the original Olympians once sought glory. We'll stand before the Temple of Olympian Zeus, marvel at the perfectly preserved theater of Epidaurus, and perhaps even seek guidance from the Oracle at Delphi, as generations of seekers did before us...

Our philosophical journey will begin with several days in and around Athens before continuing to the Peloponnese. Beyond the famous Athenian landmarks (including the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Kerameikos, the Ancient Agora, the Theatre of Dionysus, and the Panathenaic Stadium), our itinerary includes stops at Sounion, Laurion, Marathon, Rhamnous, the Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, and Delphi. We will also explore the charming coastal town of Nafplio (the first capital of modern Greece), indulge in a food tour of modern Greek cuisine, and enjoy some beach outings. The course will conclude with a day trip to the picturesque island of Aegina.

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