04:30 PM to 07:10 PM TR
Art & Design Building 2026
Section Information for Summer 2013
ARTH 319 focuses on the amazing civilization of ancient Egypt. In this course, we will explore virtually every aspect of that long-enduring civilization. We'll travel from the Great Pyramids, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, to the Valley of the Kings, where were once hidden the tombs of the most powerful pharaohs, as well as that of the "Boy King," Tutankhamun. We'll visit the village of the workers who decorated - and robbed? - those royal tombs. We'll also study animal-headed gods and goddesses worshipped by the Egyptians and we'll tour the enormous temples dedicated to those strange divinities. We'll see vivid scenes of daily life depicted in brightly painted reliefs and we’ll reflect upon the complex status of women in this traditional society. And we'll witness the dramatic conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great and the tragic death of Cleopatra, the last Macedonian-Greek ruler of Egypt.
In our survey of ancient Egyptian civilization, we'll encounter those mysterious hieroglyphs inscribed on towering obelisks, as well as the three other writing systems used by the ancient Egyptians. We’ll read passages in the Egyptian "Book of the Dead," as well as ancient love lyrics to the living. We'll watch over the Roman conquest of Egypt, the advent of Christianity, the death of Egypt's most ancient religion, the transformation of Egypt upon the arrival of Islamic Arabs, and, finally, the opening up of Egypt to the western world with the arrival of Napoleon's troops in 1798.
We will view the brilliant achievements of the ancient Egyptians in the major arts of architecture, sculpture, and painting. Throughout our exploration of this ancient civilization, we'll learn the fascinating stories of those archaeologists who have brought the buried past to light.
Prerequisites: 24 credits. For non-Western credit.
Questions? Concerns? Please feel free to e-mail Richard Mason - rmason@gmu.edu
Tags:
Credits: 3
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.