Theories on Human Differences in Greco-Roman Antiquity, Veranstaltungs-ID: 239059

Authors from Greco-Roman Antiquity frequently reflect on human nature by exploring the characteristics that collectively distinguish humans from animals or divinities. But ancient authors were also interested in the differences among human beings. They wrote extensively about ethnic and cultural varieties, sex and gender differences, sexual preferences, and justifications for hierarchies. This seminar will read some of the central ancient Greek texts on human differences with a strong focus on theories of ethnic and racial differences, as well as the corresponding scholarly literature. We will discuss questions like: how did ancient authors justify hierarchies between Greeks and foreigners, free and enslaved people, men and women? How did they assess ethnic origins and cultural differences? Did they have a concept of human races, and are their theories racist? To what extent were empirical observations, e.g., by medical writers, relevant for the development of their theories? And how did these theories impact their philosophical theories?
Ancient Greek theories on human differences are worth to be studied for several reasons. First, they differ significantly from modern and contemporary approaches, not least because the authors were not yet confronted with a world shaped by Christianity and European colonialism. Moreover, some theories were highly influential for later theories on human differences and hierarchies. For example, Aristotle’s theory of slavery was later used to justify the transatlantic slave trade; his views on the superiority of Greek philosophy might have influenced later historiographers of philosophy who tried to justify European supremacy; and his views on women were quoted as authoritative for centuries. Finally, ancient theories on human differences invite more fundamental questions about the historical contingency or universality of concepts such as ethnicity, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
In this seminar, students will gain insight into important texts from historiographers, poets, philosophers, and some medical writers on human differences, as well as an overview over recent scholarly debates on these matters.
Texts will be provided online.
Useful resources for preparation:
https://classics.barnard.edu/race-and-ethnicity-ancient-mediterranean-world-methods-sources-and-assessments