This course explores the Greek Bronze and Dark Ages and in particular the relationship of the Iliad and the Odyssey to early Greek history. The course is organized around current methods, problems, and debates in the fields of Greek history, archaeology, and Classics. Topics include the rise and fall of the Minoan and Mycenaean worlds, the historicity of the Trojan War, and social, religious, and political institutions of the Dark Ages. These topics will be studied through extensive analysis and discussion of literary, documentary, and archaeological sources, and close engagement with perspectives from works of contemporary scholarship. No knowledge of the ancient languages is required. (Same as HIST 502.) Prerequisite: Any CLSX or HIST course.