The Mediterranean and West Asian worlds during Classical Antiquity

The Master’s programme Ancient History is specially developed for students wanting to dedicate most of their Master’s studies to the history of the Mediterranean and West Asian worlds during Classical Antiquity. While our first thoughts go to the BA in History, students with Bachelor’s in Greek and Latin Languages and Cultures, Ancient Cultures and Archaeology are also welcome to participate. Due to the broad range of study programmes offered by ACASA (Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology), it is possible to develop oneself as an accomplished historian of Classical Antiquity.

Great Debates in Ancient Historical Studies

The programme Ancient History consists of two core modules: 'Great Debates in Ancient Historical Studies I and II', both of which introduce students to some of the most important debates within the discipline and give due attention to interdisciplinary research. The modules are concluded with a term paper.

Students can choose between the two specialisations: ‘East-West Confrontations’ and ‘Religion and Culture’. As part of these specialisations, various modules can be chosen,  such as ‘Confrontation between Greek and Mesopotamian cultures’, ‘Greek elites during imperial times’ (both VU), ‘The rise of Christianity’ and ‘The Roman city’ (UvA). These lectures perfectly convey the expertise of the academic staff. Aside from the aforementioned, it is also possible to take elective modules from the Master’s programmes Archaeology, Ancient Studies and Classics.

ACASA: Classics and Ancient Civilizations in Amsterdam

As of September 2012, the Master’s programmes Archaeology, and Classics and Ancient Civilizations will be jointly provided by the VU University Amsterdam (VU) and the University of Amsterdam (UvA) via the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA). Through this partnership, both universities are able to provide the broadest educational package the Netherlands has to offer in the field of Classical Antiquity.

Amsterdam has its own Classical Antiquity museum, the Allard Pierson museum, which houses a special collection of artifacts from Egypt, as well as a large collection of ceramics, glass and bronzes from Greek and Roman Antiquity. The museum is closely involved with the education of ACASA.

Degree certificate

Ancient History is an accredited degree programme of Classics and Ancient Civilizations. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Classics and Ancient Civilizations and the title Master of Arts (MA).