Duration
30h SEM, 5d FT Tr. Pr.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Histoire de l'art gréco-romain / partim GRECE (2025-2026) :
Les Royaumes hellénistiques. Art & Société
The Hellenistic period is often portrayed as an era of ostentatious luxury, excess, and decadence, marked by numerous conflicts and dominated by megalomaniac, incestuous rulers, eager for war and conspiracy. Yet, between the mid-fourth and mid-first centuries BCE, artistic production reveals an extraordinary enrichment of the repertoire, materials, and techniques employed by artisans of the Greek world, whose renown continued to grow throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond.
From Alexander the Great to Cleopatra VII, Hellenistic rulers surrounded themselves with illustrious artists and commissioned numerous works of art, driven by a desire to distinguish themselves from their neighbours, to celebrate their divine lineage, and to proclaim the grandeur of their kingdoms. From the miniature scale of precious ornaments to the monumental scope of urban decoration, artisans demonstrated remarkable virtuosity in responding to these royal commissions, which not only impressed but also influenced various strata of society.
Taking as our point of departure the major works produced in the Antigonid, Seleucid, Ptolemaic, and Attalid kingdoms - from sculpture and goldsmithing to mosaic, wall painting, and glyptic art - we shall examine the defining characteristics of Hellenistic art, at the intersection of global and local dynamics. Through a close study of the contexts of creation and use of these artefacts, as well as their socio-economic, political, and religious environments, we aim to reconstruct their meanings and to consider visual culture as a reflection of the many facets of society - a mirror of the relationship Hellenistic Greeks maintained with the world, the divine, and the natural order.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The MASTERS courses (HAAR0122-2 et HAAR0123-2) are presented as occasional studies on a particular theme for which students' active participation is desired.Ces cours seront donnés en alternant les thématiques grecque et romaine, d'un cours à l'autre, d'une année à l'autre. This consists of developing the fundamental knowledge and methodologies acquired during the three years of the Baccalaureat.
The aims of learning are research: thorough presentation and critical discussion of an object or argument.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None - bearing in mind that the History of Art and Archaeology of Greek-Roman Antiquity is only one element of the indissociable whole of the Sciences of Antiquity (history, philology and the history of religion).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
For MASTERS students, other than the good habits developed during the years of the Baccalaureat (regular presence in class, analytical work and verification in the library, research of the images), it is necessary to take a critical approach to the material presented in class. This involves prior preparation of the issues being studied in order to be able to contribute to the discussion and exchange information which has been collated. In some cases, students should also produce regular research and present it to the class. At this level of study, it is indispensable to produce, either individually or in groups, a blibliographical and iconographical database.
An educational trip of one day will be organised in a museum to acquire knowledge through contact with the artworks.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Lectures (illustrated by slides) for which students' active participation encouraged (critical discussion).
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Given in the reading list provided at the start of the course
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Additional information:
Oral Exam (first and second sessions)
Work placement(s)
No placements are planned during this course.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course will take place every week from Tuesday 23 September, 2025, in line with the schedule which has been established (Tuesdays 9am to noon / S50). A break is planned in the second half of the session.
Contacts
Meetings upon appointment at the History of Art and Archaeology of Greek and Roman Antiquity Department.
Lecturer
Stéphanie DERWAEL, chercheuse qualifiée FNRS and maîtresse de conférence
Department of Historical Sciences
Quai Roosevelt 1b (Building A4) at B-4000 Liège
Email : s.derwael@uliege.be
http://web.philo.ulg.ac.be/shaaragr/
Secretariat
Josiane DERULLIEUR
Tél. 04.366.53.41