COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s program in Ancient History at Leiden University is carefully structured to combine rigorous academic training with opportunities for original research. The curriculum begins with the Literature Seminar (10 EC), an intensive course in which students engage with key debates and recent insights in the field of Ancient History. Alongside this, students participate in Research Seminars (10 EC), where they investigate specific historical topics using primary sources and scholarly literature. These seminars encourage independent inquiry and prepare students for advanced research. The Research Workshop (5 EC) focuses on methodological and practical skills, while the Academic Skills and Thesis Seminar (5 EC) helps students refine their academic writing, presentation, and research design abilities.Flexibility is provided through Optional Courses (10 EC), which can be taken either at Leiden or abroad, allowing students to tailor their studies to their personal interests or broaden their expertise in related fields. The culmination of the program is the Thesis and Exam (20 EC), in which students undertake an independent research project under the close supervision of Leiden’s experienced faculty. This thesis represents the culmination of skills developed throughout the program and demonstrates the student’s ability to contribute new insights to the study of Ancient History.A distinctive feature of the program is the close connection to ongoing research within the Ancient History section. For instance, PhD student Patricia Kret is investigating the role of amulets in Roman society, shifting focus away from prominent leaders and writers to the daily lives of ordinary people. Her work explores questions of belief, health, and protection, highlighting the ways in which amulets were thought to cure diseases and guard against misfortune. This research not only enriches the program’s academic environment but also demonstrates how ancient mentalities and practices continue to inspire meaningful historical inquiry today.