Historical and political developments in Greece have always played an important role in understanding the origins of democratic governance. However, because of time constraints in this class, we will be unable to develop a comprehensive overview of ancient Greek history and its impact on our contemporary lives. If you are interested in increasing your understanding, there are online resources you can use to understand the context surrounding the lives of Plato, Aristotle, Athens and Sparta, and Alexander the Great.
Donald Kagan of Yale University is one of the foremost experts on Greek history, and his class, Introduction to Ancient Greek History, is online. It includes full video, audio, transcripts, readings, and handouts. Of particular interest to us is his lecture on the Rise of the Polis in session four, where Dr. Kagan discusses the ethics and virtues through a discussion of the Illiad and the Odyssey.
Dr. Kagan has also written a book named The Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace, and below is CSPAN video where he discusses his book. You can also watch his Charlie Rose interview on YouTube as well.
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