Department of Classics
College of Arts and Sciences
338 MFAC
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261-0011
(716) 645-2154
Fax: (716) 645-2225
Susan Cole, Chair of Department
John Dugan, Director of Undergraduate Studies
The field of classics consists of the study of the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, including their languages and literature, history, and archaeology.
The Department of Classics at the University at Buffalo offers majors and minors the opportunity to pursue either a general program of study, termed classical civilization, or one of six specialized subject concentrations, including ancient Greek language and literature, Latin language and literature, ancient Greek and Latin languages and literature, ancient history, Mediterranean archaeology, and ancient religions. The department also administers programs in Judaic Studies and religious studies.
The completion of a major or minor in classics provides students with a broad understanding of Greco-Roman civilization and its role in the development of both Western and world civilization. A classics degree may qualify a student for admission to a graduate program in one or more of a wide variety of disciplines, including not just classical studies, but also history, archaeology/anthropology, museum studies, Near Eastern studies, comparative literature, linguistics, and religious studies. Alternatively, classics majors/minors frequently pursue careers in fields as diverse as the law, library science, and public/private secondary education in languages and social studies.
The classics department provides opportunities for majors and minors to participate in archaeological field projects in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Israel, and facilitates the placing of majors and minors in museum internships and in study abroad programs in Italy, Greece, and Israel.
The department supports an honors program that allows qualified students to pursue special interests through a project performed under the direction of a faculty member.
103 Greek Literature in Translation (3)
Unofficially titled From Homer Onward, this course offers the opportunity for a guided
reading and analysis of Homer’s works of tragedy, comedy, and philosophy, as well as
other major literary works of Greece in English translation. No knowledge of Greek is
necessary. LEC
104 Latin Literature in Translation (3)
Major literary works of Greece and Rome (in English translation), their historical,
philosophical, and cultural backgrounds, and subsequent influence on Western thought. CL
104 may be taken before CL 103. LEC
105 Introduction to Ancient Archaeology (3)
A broad introduction to the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome from the Bronze Age to
the collapse of the Roman Empire. Particular emphasis is given to the examination of how
archaeologists go about posing and answering questions. LEC
113 Myth and Religion in the Ancient World (3)
Earliest mythologies of several ancient civilizations, especially Greek, Indic, Germanic,
and Semitic, studied as a source for early interpretations of the relations among the
divine, the cosmos, society, and the individual. Same as RSP113. LEC
120 Greek and Latin Poetry in Translation (3)
Deals with the various shorter types of ancient poetry: lyric, elegy, and satire.
Representative authors: Sappho, Catullus, Horace, and Juvenal. LEC
151 Medical Terminology (3)
History and structure of scientific terminology; the use of Latin and Greek roots in
formation of technical terms in zoology, botany, and medicine. LEC
171 History of Words (3)
Methodological and historical introduction to the science of etymology; an introduction to
the history of words, and their Latin and Greek roots. LEC
180 Ancient Sport (3)
Based on material in translation, the culture of competition in the ancient world: funeral
games, celebrating the winners, tragedy, the Olympics and other Greek games, the
gymnasium, Roman gladiators, education in Rome, emperors and Roman games, reaction against
Roman sport. LEC
205 Heroes (3)
The archetype of the hero as it occurs in the psychology of the life cycle, in ancient
heroic literature, and in modern popular culture. Readings from Gilgamesh, the Odyssey,
the Mahabharata, Beowulf, the Arthurian cycle, and the Bible. Examples from cinema, comic
books, etc. LEC
210 Women in the Ancient World (3)
Exploring the status of women; role in literature; their social and economic context; and
the origins of contemporary stereotypes and prejudices. Same as HIS210, WS 210. LEC
211 Ancient Near East and Egypt (3)
Topical survey of the contribution of ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian cultures to
Western history and thought, from the "invention" of writing to the fall of the
Assyrian Empire. Same as HIS211. LEC
212 Survey of Greek History (3)
An introduction to the political, military, intellectual, and social history of ancient
Greece, from the neolithic beginnings to the eastern conquests of Alexander in the fourth
century B.C. Same as HIS213. LEC
213 Roman Republic Survey (3)
Origins and growth of Roman power, crisis of the late Roman Republic. Same as HIS301. LEC
214 Roman Empire Survey (3)
Augustus and the Early Principate; the decline of the Roman Empire in the West. Same as
HIS302. LEC
222 Greek Civilization (3)
Elements of Greek civilization analyzed from synchronistic and developmental views to
produce a coherent image of that culture as a living and expanding entity. Same as HIS203.
LEC
223 Roman Civilization (3)
Cultural survey of Roman life in the ancient world: education, marriage, family life,
games and entertainment, religion, slavery, careers in civilian occupations, government
service, the military system. Same as HIS202. LEC
235 Constructing a Christian Society (3)
A survey of the development of Christianity as a historical and cultural process from its birth until the height of the Middle Ages.
Emphasis on the interrelationship between religion, culture, and history; includes monasticism, the role of women, and the place of heresy. Same as HIS236, RSP235. LEC
228 Warfare in the Ancient World (3)
Warfare has been a constant feature of societies and civilizations. This course is
designed to provide a historically anchored survey of warfare in the ancient Mediterranean
civilizations, particularly those of Greece and Rome. Not simply a history of strategies
and battles, our intent will be to look at the wide range of issues influencing and
impacted by armed conflict. LEC
302 Archaeology of Assyria (3)
Traces the history and development of the culture of the
ancient Assyrians; helps students see how individual strains of different
cultures—the variegated peoples that make up the ancestry and contemporaries of the
historical Assyrians—can be reworked by these ancient peoples to create (or force the
creation of) a sense of common heritage; introduces the specific character of the
Assyrian Palace and its bureaucracy; improves student skills in the analysis of both the
written text and the visual record of an ancient culture for the purpose of writing
history. LEC
303 Greek, Egypt, and the Holy Land (3)
An introduction to the primary cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean in the
second millennium B.C.E. The course concentrates on the culture of the Egyptian Empire, its
external relations with the Levant and the Aegean and the development of the Canaanite and
Minoan-Mycenaean civilizations. The instructors are archaeologists whose experience
includes Greece, Cyprus, and Syria-Palestine. LEC
305 Greek Intellectual History (3)
An introduction to the development of Greek intellectual life in myth, literature,
philosophy, and political thought. Same as HIS310. LEC
313 Classical Mythology (3)
Dynamics of mythological thought, especially among the Greeks in relation to Greek
religion and philosophy; deployment in literature and art. LEC
315 Epic in Translation (3)
Readings in translation designed to provide an understanding of the forms and particular
visions of the epic genre, especially its Greek and Roman exemplars. LEC
316 Greek Drama in Translation (3)
Study of the major dramatic works of Greece (in English translation), the historical,
philosophical, and cultural background of Greek drama, as well as its subsequent influence
on Western theater. LEC
319 Classical Topic or Author (3)
Exploration, analysis, and evaluation of chosen subjects, which may be literary,
historical, philosophical, etc., or have several interfaces. Subject varies from year to
year. LEC
331 Roman Imperialism (3)
Growth and nature of Roman imperialism; Rome’s involvement in the Greek East; career
of Pompey the Great; foreign policy of Augustus; reign of Trajan. Same as HIS304. LEC
332 The Athenian Empire (3)
Athenian Empire of the fifth century B.C.E.; consequences of its policies toward Sparta and
Persia. Same as HIS204. LEC
336 Introduction to Greek Archaeology I (3)
Remains of the Aegean littoral and their relation to the more advanced civilizations of
the Near East, from earliest beginnings to ca. 700 B.C.E.; emphasis on advanced Bronze Age
civilizations of Crete and Mycenae. LEC
337 Introduction to Greek Archaeology II (3)
Survey of architecture, sculpture, and painting from ca. 700 B.C.E. to ca. 350 B.C.E. The
development of artistic types, towns, and sanctuaries will be traced against the setting
of the history, political institutions, and public figures of the times. LEC
338 Introduction to Roman Archaeology I (3)
Traces the development of Italic culture (early Iron Age, Etruscan, and during the Roman
Republic) via avenues ranging from burial practices to urbanism. LEC
339 Introduction to Roman Archaeology II (3)
Focuses on the Roman Empire from Augustus (d. A.D. 14) to Constantine (d. A.D. 337),
considering art, architecture, and archaeology both at home and in the far-flung
provinces. LEC
410 Honors Project in Classics (3-6)
Seniors only. Consult with chair or director of undergraduate studies during junior year.
TUT
422 The Greek City (3)
History of the Greek city as a political and social institution with attention to physical
environment, economic and agricultural resources, use of urban space, public architecture,
and representations of civic ideology. LEC
423 Religion and Society/Ancient Greece (3)
Analysis of the role of religion in the ancient Greek polis with attention to the
archaeological evidence for cult practice, the representation of ritual acts in Greek
literature, gender difference and religious ideology, and the ritual of life cycle. LEC
430 Ancient Economy (3)
An in-depth examination of the nature of economic activity in the Graeco-Roman world.
Particular emphasis is placed on the general models that have been employed to understand
the ancient economy and how textual and archaeological evidence has been used to develop
and evaluate them. LEC
440 Pompeii (3)
A systematic survey of the archaeological remains of the buried city of Pompeii. The
unique evidence offered by Pompeii will be used to examine the nature of municipal life in
Roman Italy, including society, economy, politics, and private life. LEC
445 Christians in the Roman Empire (3)
Explores the development of early Christianity in the context of the
changing Roman Empire. Begins with the life of Jesus, considering him as a subject
of Rome and continuing through the development of Christian communities in the Roman
Empire of the first-third century A.D. LEC
101-102 Ancient Greek Language and Culture I-II (5-5)
An introduction to ancient Greek, with a study of the essential grammar and readings in a
variety of simple texts. The course will also deal with the linguistic and historical
background of the Greeks, and the cultural milieu in which the great literary and
philosophical works were created. Same as RSP110, RSP120. LEC
201-202 Ancient Greek Language and Culture III-IV (4-4)
Advanced work in grammar and composition together with readings from prose and poetry.
Selections from a wide range of authors will be included in order to demonstrate the
diversity and appeal of Greek literature. Emphasis will be placed on developing reading
ability. LEC
301 Homer and the Greek Epic (3)
Selections from the Iliad and the Odyssey. Emphasis on improving reading ability. LEC
302 Herodotus and Selections from Greek Poetry (3)
Selections from Herodotus’ Histories, and representative Greek poets, such as Sappho,
Alcman, and Pindar. Emphasis on improving reading ability. LEC
401 Thucydides (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from Thucydides’ Pelopennesian War. LEC
402 Plato (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from Plato’s dialogues, such as Apology,
Crito, Republic, Phaedrus. LEC
403 Greek Drama (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Readings from the great Athenian dramatists, including
Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. LEC
404 Greek Oratory (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Slander, murder, and innuendo—great political speeches
and courtroom dramas from the ancient world. Selections from Lysias, Isocrates,
Demosthenes, etc. LEC
407 Greek Prose (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections could include Plato, Herodotus, Thucydides,
oratory, the Greek novel, the New Testament. LEC
426 Lyric Poetry (3)
For advanced undergraduates. The great lyric poets of Greece, including Sappho,
Bacchylides, Alcman, Pindar, selections from Greek Anthology. LEC
444 Reading Greek Literature (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Topic varies from semester to semester. LEC
101-102 Latin Language and Culture I-II (5-5)
An introduction to Latin; the reading of simple texts by various Roman authors. The course
will also deal with Roman culture and civilization, and with the influence of Latin in
English vocabulary. LEC
201-202 Latin Language and Culture III-IV (4-4)
Advanced work in Latin grammar with readings from Latin prose and poetry. Selections from
a wide range of authors will be included in order to demonstrate the richness, diversity,
and appeal of Latin literature. Emphasis will be placed on developing reading ability. LEC
301 Ovid (3)
Selections for the work of Ovid, which includes Metamorphoses, Ars Amatoria, Herodies,
Fasti, and other poems. Emphasis on improving reading ability. LEC
302 Latin Lyric Poetry (3)
Selections from the Latin lyric poets, from Horace and Catullus to poetry of the early
Middle Ages. Emphasis on improving reading ability. LEC
401 Roman Satire (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from the Roman satirical writers Horace, Juvenal,
and Persius. LEC
402 Roman Elegy (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Love poetry by Ovid, Propertius, Tibullus. LEC
404 Ciceronian Oratory (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Slander, murder, and innuendo from the Roman world. Political
speeches and courtroom oratory by Cicero, the greatest public speaker of the Roman world.
LEC
407 Lucretius and Epicurus (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from Lucretius’ philosophical epic poem De
Rerum Natura, with a discussion of the influence of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. LEC
408 Roman Historians (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from Sallust, Livy, Tacitus, Caesar, Cicero,
Apuleius, and Petronius. LEC
409 Classical Latin: Prose Writers (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from such writers as Livy, Tacitus, Caesar,
Cicero, Apuleius, and Petronius. LEC
410 Roman Comedy (3)
For advanced undergraduates. The origins of the sitcom? Selections from the Roman comic
writers Plautus and Terence. LEC
413 Virgil (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Readings from Rome’s greatest poet, Virgil, including
selections from Eclogues, Georgies, and Aeneid. LEC
414 Silver Latin (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Selections from authors from the first century A.D.,
including Lucan, Petronius, Silius, Italicus, Martial, Satius, and others. LEC
443 Reading Latin Literature (3)
For advanced undergraduates. Topic varies from semester to semester. LEC
Acceptance Criteria
GPA of 2.0 or above
Note: Only courses at the 200 level and above may be used to satisfy the requirements for a classics major.
Foreign Language Requirement for All Concentrations - 0-16 cr
Proficiency in a foreign language through the second semester of the second year or its
equivalent, to be demonstrated through classroom courses or through alternatives outlined in the General Education Requirements section of the Undergraduate Catalog. S/U grading may not be selected for courses taken
to fulfill this requirement.
Classical Civilization
Total Required Credit Hours - 38
Ancient Greek Language and Literature Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 35
Latin Language and Literature Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 35
Ancient Greek and Latin Languages and Literature Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 37
Ancient History Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 38
Mediterranean Archaeology Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 38
Ancient Religions Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 38
Students may pursue a general classical civilization minor or a specialized minor in one of five different subject areas.
Note that only courses at the 200 level or higher may be used to satisfy the requirements for a classics minor.
Classical Civilization
Total Required Credit Hours - 18
Ancient Greek and/or Latin Language and Literature Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 20
Ancient History Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 18
Mediterranean Archaeology Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 18
Ancient Religions Concentration
Total Required Credit Hours - 18
See "Baccalaureate Degree Requirements" for remaining university requirements.