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2. Course Overview
Abstract: Flying to the Moon, being swallowed by a giant whale and surviving to tell the tale? That’s what you will read about and discuss in this course, which explores the True Histories of Lucian, a masterful work of a 2nd century Atticizing prose writer with a sharp wit and unparalleled literary craftsmanship.
Comprehensive Description: The course will focus on discussing the topics presented in the book, with the text serving as a basis for deepening vocabulary, grammar and syntax knowledge of Ancient Greek.
o Selections for reading and topics for discussion can include but are not limited to:
▪ Lucian’s relation to Homer and Herodotus
▪ Warfare: the battle between the Moon king and the Sun king
▪ Sailing; flying ships and giant whales
▪ Society: Strange peoples and their customs
▪ Heroes, poets, philosophers in the Afterlife
▪ Science fiction: inventiveness and imagination
▪ Comedy: puns, jokes and references to real people or places
3. Proficiency & Requirements
Language Level:
Framework Reference: N/A
General Description: Intermediate; students don’t need a prior knowledge of spoken Ancient Greek, but should be comfortable with reading Advanced Beginner / Intermediate level Greek prose.
Estimated Self-Study Time:
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week.
Preparation Type: Students are expected to have performed a first reading of the text prior to class.
4. Materials & Bibliography
Required Textbooks:
Primary Text: The teacher will provide the text and / or other materials.
Further Reading:
o Hayes, E., & Nimis, S. (Eds.). (2014). Lucian's A True Story: An Intermediate Greek Reader (Rev. ed.). Faenum Publishing.
o van Emde Boas, E., Rijksbaron, A., Huitink, L., & de Bakker, M. (2019). The Cambridge Grammar of Classical Greek. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
5. ATTENDANCE, CERTIFICATION AND RECORDINGS
By enrolling, you agree to our standard academic regulations. These guidelines include the minimum attendance required to earn a Certificate of Completion, policies regarding lesson recording availability, mandatory parental consent for minors, and intellectual property protections. Please read our complete Attendance, Certifications, and Recordings Policy herefor full details on attendance, certifications, session recordings, user privacy, intellectual property rights, and special learning accommodations.
