GREE310

Koiné Greek

An introduction to the common dialect of ancient Greek used throughout the Greek world in the wake of the conquests of Alexander the Great (d. 323 BC), with an emphasis on gaining fluency. Readings from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), the New Testament and selected documents. Differences in grammar and orthography from classical Greek are discussed. The course may involve a palaeographical element, with readings from ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts.