Overview. From its earliest beginnings to the modern period, Greek has been in continuous use for over 3,000 years. Ancient Greek was a member of the large family of Indo-European languages, all descended from a common ancestral tongue (now lost) spoken by the peoples of the prehistoric Eurasian continent.

The focus of this course and all other such courses is Attic Greek, which was the dialect used in and around Athens during the classical period (roughly the fifth and fourth centuries BCE). Other dialects included Doric and Aeolic.

Though vestiges survive today, ancient Greek is technically a dead language—although thanks to the efforts of students like you, it flourishes as best it can.

Objectives. The specific goals for this course are as follows:

• to learn basic Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary;
• to understand the composition and style of simple Greek prose; and
• to gain access to the historical and cultural contexts in which the language flourished.

Furthermore, students will acquire universal skills of analysis and critical thinking, and will communicate these skills both in class and in written exercises.