DSBcB55 The Greeks and India in Antiquity

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Patrik Kaňa (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Patrik Kaňa
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 12:00–13:40 B2.43, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Prerequisites
General knowledge of ancient history.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to describe the encounters between Greek and Indian civilizations from their earliest beginnings to the expedition of Alexander the Great and the subsequent establishment of Greek dominions in the East in the form of the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms. These civilizational encounters will be examined through various preserved sources, allowing for an exploration of political and cultural development, as well as reflections on art, philosophy, and religion.
Learning outcomes
After the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
-Develop the ability to work with relevant primary and secondary source
- Analyze historical events and their impact on the development of ancient Greek and Indian civilization
-Gain an understanding of the political, social, cultural, and religious histories of these civilizations and comprehend their interconnections
-Explore the philosophical and religious ideas of both civilizations and their mutual influences
Syllabus
  • • Introduction to the course
  • • Greece before Alexander the Great
  • • India before Alexander the Great's Expedition
  • • Persia as a mediator for the meeting
  • • Alexander the Great and His Expedition to India
  • • Seleucids and the Maurya Empire
  • • Graeco-Bactrian Kingdoms
  • • Indo-Greek Kingdoms
  • • Decline of Greek Dominance in India and Subsequent Developments
  • • Philosophy and knowledge transfer
  • • Religious Syncretism
  • • Art
  • • Concluding Discussion
Literature
    required literature
  • ZBAVITEL, Dušan. Starověká Indie. 1. vyd. Praha: Panorama, 1985, 292 s. URL info
  • ARRIANOS, Flavios. Tažení Alexandra Velikého. 1. vyd. Praha: Svoboda, 1972, 347 s. info
    recommended literature
  • NARAIN, A. K. The Indo-Greeks. Clarendon press, Oxford 1957.
  • MAŠEK, Michal. Encyklopedie řecko-baktrijských panovníků z pohledu jejich mincí. Libri, Praha 2010.
  • TARN, W. W. The Greeks in Bactria and India. Cambridge University Press,Cambridge 2010.
  • THAPAR, R. The Penguin History of Early India. Penguin Books, New Delhi 2001.
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussions, and work with primary and secondary sources
Assessment methods
A written test
Náhradní absolvování
Possible upon an agreement with the teacher and with the consent of the guarantor of the study programme Ancient History (BA).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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