Discover one of the hidden histories of Egypt after the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. This course will explore the fascinating Late Period of ancient Egypt, a time which juxtaposes strength, renaissance, trade, cultural fusion and autonomy with occupation, conflict and division. The downfall of the Nubian twenty-fifth dynasty is followed by brief Assyrian involvement leading to Twenty-Sixth dynasty Egypt which, with high quality art and monumental tombs, should be considered one of the gems of Pharaonic history. This apogee of the Late Period from the reign of Psamtek I onwards is replaced by the first of two Persian occupations, the second of which is brought to an end by the shattering conquest of Alexander the Great in 332 BC. This course is a fully online with no physical meeting space, accessing the course through Canvas our virtual learning environment and zoom a video conferencing software.
Course aim
This course aims to introduce the Late Period of ancient Egypt, a fascinating and varied period which all too-often has been hidden in the shadow of Old Kingdom pyramids and New Kingdom splendour.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Discuss the building programme of Dynasty 30, the last native pharaohs of Egypt
- Briefly describe a monumental tomb from the Late Period.
- Compare and Contrast the Saite Period with the First Persian Period.
- Debate the suggestion that Psamtek I is one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
How will I be taught?
- The sessions will include well-illustrated presentations supported with specific texts and with lots of opportunity for questions and discussions. There will be an optional and anonymous zoom quiz at the start of most sessions.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Ongoing informal feedback.
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
- Students new to the subject would benefit from reading an overall Introduction to Ancient Egypt. All students would gain from reading chapters or books on the specific period covered.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
- The Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society www.tvaes.org.uk provides lectures, study days, trips and courses in ancient Egypt based in Reading.
Download full course information sheet
Ancient Egypt: From Psamtek to Alexander - Online with John Billman
