Ancient Political Thought

3 units

The course examines the most significant ancient attempts to construct an ethically and practically viable politics. Topics include imperialism, citizenship, the cultivation of virtue, utopianism, and dissent. Although the focus is on understanding key texts as interventions in particular contexts, attention is also paid to contemporary reinventions of ancient thought. Readings are drawn from historians (Herodotus, Thucydides), philosophers (Plato, Aristotle), and orators (Demosthenes, Cicero).