Mass media in ancient Greece 2800-DWMASS-OG

This university-wide lecture is intended for students of all disciplines at the University of Warsaw and does not require prior knowledge of the humanities. The course focuses on the material culture of ancient Greece, explored through the lens of coinage—one of the most important sources for understanding the political, religious, and artistic life of antiquity. Selected iconographic motifs will be presented in a clear and structured manner, with particular attention to their continued recognizability in modern visual culture despite their ancient origins.

The aim of the lecture is not only to present a typological overview of Greek coinage but also to examine coins as carriers of meaning—as a form of visual communication in the ancient world. Greek coins will be analyzed as instruments of propaganda, civic identity, and symbolic narrative. Their functions as media conveying messages about political systems, historical events, mythology, religion, animals, emotions, violence, love, and hybrid creatures will also be explored.

Mass Media in Ancient Greece is:

a vivid, visually rich exploration of ancient Greek coinage (yes, coins are the protagonists),

a series of thematic presentations guided by two fictional narrators – Kasander and Kasandra – who share insights from their own “ancient” perspective,

a lecture packed with visual material, short documentaries, and a wealth of surprising facts from everyday Greek life (no rote learning, no dates – just engaging, unforgettable content).

The course is divided into three thematic journeys: MYKONOS – OLYMPUS – ATLANTIS
..........................................................................................................................

0. Introductory Lecture
An opening session where we present the structure, proposed topics, exam format, and expectations. Students and lecturer negotiate the rules of engagement for the semester – and both sides agree to stick to them!

I. MYKONOS
2. Mass Media in Ancient Greece
Introduction to the course; how did information circulate? The functions of money; ancient methods of counting and valuing currency.

3. Exploring Ancient Ephesus
A walk through Ephesus; dipping our toes in the Pactolus River; the treasure of the first coins; Lydia – birthplace of money.

4. From Ephesus to Mainland Greece
Kasander as a hoplite; which god protected soldiers? The Greek “machine gun”; why did the Greeks even need an army?

5. Kasander’s Obsession with Animals
The oldest zoo in the world; Herakles, lion-skin fashion and questionable ethics; mouse, ant, frog, crocodile – edible or symbolic?

6. Among the Lotus-Eaters
At a vegan tavern under the Acropolis �� – exploring why and how plants were shown on ancient coins.

II. OLYMPUS
7. A Tour of Olympus Before the Myths Begin
Olympos, Olympia, the Olympiad, and the Olympieion – geography, cult, and ritual.

8. Visiting the CEO of the Greek Gods
Zeus’s entourage; how many gods did an average Greek know? The obvious, the obscure, and the just plain bizarre deities.

9. Conflicts on Olympus
Let’s gossip! Betrayals, thefts, murder attempts – who hated whom and why? Mythology’s dramatic side.

10. The Mad Visions of the Pythia
How Kasander made offerings to his favorite gods – rituals, trances, incense, and hilarity.

11. Medicine in Ancient Greece
Healers, temples, curious cures, and the roots of medical thought.

III. ATLANTIS
12. The Ancient Gossip Magazine
Winter coins, summer coins; breaking news and ancient scandals – the weird and wild side of antiquity.

13. Freaks and Fantasies!
Gryphon, sphinx, Pegasus, chimera, satyr, sea monster (Loch Ness prequel?), mermaids and other unidentifiable creatures.

14. The Zodiac
Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, and more… Yes – the Greeks had horoscopes too.
– Seriously? Seriously!

15. In Search of Lost Atlantis – FINAL RECAP
A reflective, quirky and celebratory final lecture – tying together themes, symbols, and mysteries… and maybe (just maybe) locating Atlantis.

�� Curious for more? In the summer semester, a complementary course is planned: Mass Media in Ancient Rome – following the same unique format.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Remote learning

Prerequisites (description)

This course is designed for students interested in exploring ancient Greece – its culture, symbols, and everyday life – with a focus on how the Greeks communicated through images and objects (coins as a form of mass media). It will be especially valuable for those who: - want to expand their knowledge of antiquity in an accessible, interdisciplinary, and engaging way – without rote memorization or dry facts; - are fascinated by Greek culture and its influence on modern concepts such as democracy, aesthetics, religion, and mythology; - enjoy being surprised – and are curious to discover the weird, witty, symbolic, and often shocking world of ancient coins and what they reveal; - have never felt connected to antiquity but would like to give it a chance – and explore it through the playful and curious eyes of our guides, Kasander and Kasandra; - appreciate visually rich lectures – filled with illustrations, stories, iconography, and moments from everyday life in the ancient Greek world. In short: this course is for both lovers of antiquity and those ready to be unexpectedly captivated by it.

Course coordinators

Renata Ciołek

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE – The student knows and understands:
K_W01 – the fundamental role and significance of archaeology (including numismatic archaeology) within the system of sciences and in the study of humanity’s socio-cultural past.
K_W02 – the basic concepts and terminology used in archaeology and ancient numismatics.
K_W03 – the principles of describing, analysing, and interpreting archaeological – especially numismatic – sources.
K_W06 – the interdisciplinary connections between archaeology and other fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (e.g. iconography, history, religious studies, economics).
K_W08 – the main directions of research and key achievements in the fields of archaeological and iconographic analysis of coins.
K_W09 – the basic methods of analysing and interpreting numismatic imagery.
K_W15 – general knowledge about the properties of coins and the various ways they were used as communicative tools by ancient societies.

SKILLS – The student is able to:
K_U02 – search for, evaluate, select, and use information from numismatic sources (catalogues, databases, museum collections).
K_U03 – independently interpret iconographic sources, especially those from the ancient Greek world.
K_U09 – apply basic analytical concepts and theoretical approaches relevant to the study of ancient numismatics.
K_U13 – identify relationships between coin imagery and cultural, religious, or social processes in ancient Greece.

SOCIAL COMPETENCES – The student is prepared to:
K_K01 – apply their knowledge and skills while recognising the need to engage with expert perspectives.
K_K03 – appreciate the unique value of numismatic sources in reconstructing the human past.
K_K04 – critically assess interpretations of numismatic and historical sources, acknowledging their complexity and multivocality.
K_K06 – emphasise the importance of cultural heritage (including coinage) in understanding economic, social, and cultural transformations from antiquity to the present.
K_K12 – respect diverse perspectives shaped by different cultural backgrounds, especially in the interpretation of symbolism and ideology in coinage.

Assessment criteria

In the course Mass Media in Ancient Greece, students may choose between two modes of assessment:

1. Final comprehensive exam (single sitting)
– no attendance required during the semester;
– the exam is based on a list of assigned readings (made available on Kampus);
– the exam date will be announced during the first organizational session.

2. Partial exams (after each thematic cycle)
– each covers a smaller portion of the material (e.g. only the Mykonos, Olympus, or Atlantis cycle);
– active participation in live lectures is required – up to 2 absences are permitted during the semester.

Full details, grading criteria, and the schedule will be explained during the introductory (“negotiation”) lecture – attendance at this session is strongly recommended.

Bibliography

I. Carradice, M. Price, Coinage in the Greek World, London 1988
M. Mielczarek, Mennictwo Starożytnej Grecji, Warszawa-Kraków 2006
L. Morawiecki, Greckie systemy monetarne, Amicorum dona. Studia classica et orientalia Stephano Skowronek ab amicis, collegis, duscipulis oblata, Kraków 1998, 131-146.
L. Morawiecki, Początki mennictwa greckiego, Wrocław 1983.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2800-DWMASS-OG in USOSweb