Thesis in Ancient History

I.14. Thesis in Ancient History

Any candidate who is not offering a thesis in any other branch of Greats may offer a thesis in Ancient History. It may be combined with the Special Thesis (VII), but there must be no overlap of content between the two. A Special Thesis on a historical theme should follow the guidelines set out here.

The thesis should be equivalent in student work-load to an entire subject in Ancient History, and it should demonstrate expertise in a comparable body of evidence and understanding of a comparable range of conceptual and interpretative problems.

 There is no formal requirement for those offering an Ancient History thesis to do any other subject or subjects in Ancient History. It is possible in a thesis to demonstrate an understanding of a body of evidence and a set of problems equivalent in scale and complexity to the periods and the options in Ancient History, and to learn the necessary historical skills while researching and composing such a thesis, and your Ancient History tutor will advise you as to how this may be achieved with the subject you have in mind. Many problems raised in the study of archaeology and literature are closely related to historical investigation too. Most of those intending to offer an Ancient History thesis will, however, make a point of laying the foundations for it by offering one or more other Ancient History subjects.

A thesis should not be merely an extended essay, but rather a short dissertation. It should have a well-defined subject and a coherent sequence of arguments which reaches some kind of conclusion, however open. It should show familiarity with the problems of the relevant ancient evidence, and should cite it accurately; it should also show a good understanding of the relevant scholarly literature and of the main trends, approaches and controversies in the study of the general subject area within which the thesis falls.

A thesis should include an introduction (outlining the problem to be addressed, previous scholarship on the problem and the nature of the evidence), a series of individual sub-sections or chapters, and a conclusion. There must be a bibliography of works consulted. Figures (e.g. maps and plans) or illustrations should be used if relevant. A professional level of presentation is expected: you must use page numbers, and pay due attention to spelling, punctuation, division into paragraphs and grammar. Citation of evidence and scholarly discussion should be consistent and accord with professional practice.