The First Millennium
Traditionally, the study of this period has been divided among different disciplines, but recently, enduring economic and political ties, in addition to a shared cultural heritage, are being more strongly emphasized. This course aims to analyse long term evolutions across the boundaries of periods and kingdoms, identify common trends and differences, and thus understand the different developments in different regions. In dialogue with sources and literature, students learn to analyse long term evolutions and reflect critically on them.
About the course
Content
The course covers nine topics, each broadly relating to leadership in the first millennium Mediterranean. While the topics will be presented through specific historical examples, they each also relate to comparative trends and developments across the first millennium. Using sources in translation and modern literature, the following topics will be addressed:
‘The good king’ (PVN): How was leadership defined in the first millennium? What made a ‘good king’?
- The creation of historical narratives (PVN): How are historical narratives created and remembered? How are continuity and renewal involved in representing the past?
- Monotheism (JV): What role do Christianity and Islam play in the development of new political structures on both local and imperial levels?
- Panegyric and patronage (GR): What can the panegyric reveal about leadership?
- How do the panegyric and other forms of patronage function as acts of power?
- Law (JV): How does law respond to changes in authority, community, and religion?
- Toleration and diversity (GR): What were the strategies and options for dealing with religious and social difference?
- Greed and economics (PVN): How does an ideal economy function across the Mediterranean in the first millennium?
- Catastrophes, plague, and the natural world (JV): To what extent was society viewed in continuity with nature?
- Apocalypse (GR): How do apocalyptic narratives relate to societal order?
Learning outcomes
- Have an understanding of the major historical evolutions of the first millennium
- Be able to reflect on the methods and theories used to study the first millennium
- Be able to dialogue with literature and sources from disciplines other than one's own
- Be able to critically approach a topic of first-millennium history with an awareness of broader geographic, temporal, and cultural developments
- Be able to present an original research topic orally and in writing
Teaching methods
Group work, Seminar, Independent work
Extra information:
Preparation: Approximately 60 pages per week of assigned reading.
Class information: All classes will be taught online. The first session provides an introduction to the course and background information on the Mediterranean in the first millennium. The following nine classes begin with a short lecture on the week’s theme before proceeding with a group discussion based on the assigned reading and lecture. In the final session, students give short presentations on a topic of their choice. Lecture recordings will be made available following each session, to the exception of the session of student presentations
Assessment
Assessment moments: continuous assessment
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: -
Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Oral assessment, Participation, Written assessment
Possibilities of retake in case of end-of-term assessment: examination during the second examination period is possible in modified form
Extra information on the examination methods:
- Participation: General participation in class discussions.
- Presentation: Presentation of essay topics in the final class session.
Following the presentation, students will receive feedback from the lecturers to help direct the development and trajectory of their ideas.
Essay: Written paper of 4.000 to 5.000 words to be submitted in the exam period. Students are free to choose their own topic and must propose and receive approval on their topics mid-course. The lecturers are available to assist in topic selection if necessary.
Calculation of the examination mark: 20% presentation, 20% participation, 60% paper (In order to pass for the course, a student needs to pass for the essay. If a student has a total higher than 10 but fails the essay, the mark will be reduced to 9)
Russo, Gabrielle: Lecturer-in-Charge
Course dates
This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2026-2027:
- Educational activities: 08/02 - 15/05
- Easter recess: 29/03 – 10/04
- Catch-up activities: 17/05 – 22/05
- Examination period: 24/05 – 03/07
- Resit examination period: 16/08 – 18/09
How to apply?
Entry requirements: Basic knowledge of at least one of the domains this course unit touches upon.
How to apply
- Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
- Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office (contact details below).
- Apply by completing the Ghent University form (link will follow) by January 18th.
- Register at Ghent University. Registration instructions will follow after application.
Information per university
- University of the Basque Country:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Bern:
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Comenius University Bratislava:
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Groningen:
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , see information about BIP’s and virtual courses - Uppsala University:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , see application instructions for students at Uppsala University
Contact
For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course:
For information regarding the course content: