CL3ET-Ancient Ethiopia: The Aksumite Kingdom

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Rachel Mairs
Email: r.mairs@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The Aksumite Kingdom (fl. first half of the first millennium AD) was centred on the city of Aksum, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.  A wealth of ancient evidence from Aksum – including archaeological remains and inscriptions in Greek and the Ethiopian language Ge’ez – allow us to explore how this kingdom functioned and conceived of its own place in the world.  To complement this, we will look at how ancient Greek and Roman sources depicted Ethiopia, and assess how accurate their information was.  Topics covered will include the reign of King Ezana, one of the most prolific inscription-makers at Aksum; the conversion of Ethiopia to Christianity; multiculturalism and international connections at Aksum; and the monumental landscape of Aksum, including the famous stelae.  We will also critically examine how modern European travellers and historians (from the 16th century onwards) ‘discovered’ ancient Aksum, and how colonialism and imperialism coloured their impressions of it.

Aims:

This module introduces one of the most fascinating and significant ancient African civilisations, the Aksumite kingdom of the Ethiopia and Eritrea in the period c. 1-500 AD.  Students will learn how the Aksumite Kingdom interacted with neighbouring states in ancient Sudan and South Arabia, and, further afield, with the Greek, Roman and Egyptian world.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the Aksumite kingdom.


• Show understanding of the range of literary, epigraphic and archaeological forms of evidence important for understanding ancient Ethiopia.


• Appreciate how colonialism and imperialism have affected modern interpretations of ancient African civilisations.

Additional outcomes:

Students on this module will develop their IT skills through the production of written work. Seminars will enhance team-work and collaborative abilities.

Outline content:

The Aksumite Kingdom (fl. first half of the first millennium AD) was centred on the city of Aksum, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.  A wealth of ancient evidence from Aksum – including archaeological remains and inscriptions in Greek and the Ethiopian language Ge’ez – allow us to explore how this kingdom functioned and conceived of its own place in the world.  To complement this, we will look at how ancient Greek and Roman sources depicted Ethiopia, and assess how accurate their information was.  Topics covered will include the reign of King Ezana, one of the most prolific inscription-makers at Aksum; the conversion of Ethiopia to Christianity; multiculturalism and international connections at Aksum; and the monumental landscape of Aksum, including the famous stelae.  We will also critically examine how modern European travellers and historians (from the 16th century onwards) ‘discovered’ ancient Aksum, and how colonialismand imperialism coloured their impressions of it.

Global context:

This module brings ancient Africa into the Classics curriculum, showing how an African state interacted with ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, through the lens of indigenous sources.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Class time will be a mixture of lecture and seminar formats.  For seminars, students will read and discuss individual primary sources, scholarly articles and Early Modern traveller around.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		180
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write a blog post and an essay.  They will be allowed to choose from a selection of essay topics.  As well as historical questions, students will have the opportunity to opt to write a commentary on an ancient Greek or Roman or modern European account of Aksum. The blog entry (50%) and essay (50%) are both due on Friday of week 2 of Summer term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be able to submit an essay plan for feedback before submitting their final piece of coursework.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

 Resubmission in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 12 October 2023