Classical Greek - Level B

The Level B of the Classical Greek course is designed for non-Greek students who have basic knowledge of the language and wish to further develop their skills. It is ideal for those who want to deepen their understanding of Ancient Greek grammar and syntax, gaining greater confidence in reading original texts.

The program is intended for students and professionals in the fields of classical studies, archaeology, theology, and philosophy, as well as for educators and lifelong learners seeking intellectual enrichment. Through engagement with more complex texts, participants will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Ancient Greece

The purpose of Classical Greek level B program is to provide learners with an in-depth understanding of the Ancient Greek language, enabling them to engage with classical and biblical texts with greater accuracy and confidence. Building on foundational knowledge acquired in Level A, Level B focuses on expanding students’ grammatical and syntactical skills, deepening their appreciation of Ancient Greek literature, and fostering their ability to analyze and interpret texts independently. Through a structured curriculum that combines theory with practical application, the program offers a comprehensive approach to language learning. Students will explore more complex grammatical structures, such as adjective declensions, main clauses, and sentence coordination, while being exposed to authentic texts from Classical authors like Plato and Xenophon, as well as biblical passages from the New Testament. The program is designed to meet the needs of a diverse audience, including scholars, educators, students of humanities, and enthusiasts of classical literature. It aims to equip participants with the linguistic tools necessary for academic research, professional development, and personal enrichment. Additionally, the program emphasizes an experiential learning approach, encouraging students to actively engage with the language through reading, translation, and contextual analysis. By the end of the course, learners will be able to read, understand, and interpret Ancient Greek texts with greater fluency, enhancing their overall appreciation of the language's cultural and historical significance. Ultimately, this program aspires to bridge the gap between passive knowledge and active use of Ancient Greek, empowering students to apply their skills in various academic and professional contexts while fostering a deeper connection with the timeless wisdom of Greek antiquity.

The program is delivered through asynchronous distance learning and consists of three teaching chapters. Each chapter is supported by an assigned instructor throughout the program, ensuring full educational assistance. The total workload amounts to 75 hours, and assessments are conducted through an educational platform using both open- and closed-ended questions. Upon successful completion, participants are awarded a "Course Certificate," corresponding to a Level 5 qualification.

The first chapter of the course, “Nouns and adjectives of Classical Greek”, begins with an introduction that revisits fundamental concepts from Level A, reinforcing previous knowledge while preparing students for the advanced grammatical and syntactical structures introduced in Level B. Students explore adjectives and sentence structure, focusing on the coordination and correlation in Classical Greek. They study the agreement of adjectives in gender, number, and case, the formation of affirmative and negative main clauses, and the use of coordinating and correlative conjunctions. This knowledge is applied through the analysis of texts from Plato's Protagoras and Xenophon's Memorabilia.

Students delve into the complexities of third declension nouns and adjectives. They examine irregular stem changes and different case endings while learning the importance of memorizing nominative and genitive forms for accurate identification. The analysis of Ancient Greek fables helps reinforce the moral and cultural values embedded in the language. The chapter builds on this foundation by exploring more complex noun forms and exceptions, emphasizing irregular genitive singular endings and different declension patterns. Syntax and comprehension exercises further develop students' ability to recognize morphological patterns in authentic texts.

The second chapter, “Verbs and Syntax of Classical Greek”, introduces the declension and syntax of participles and infinitives. Students learn to identify different participial functions, including attributive, circumstantial, and supplementary uses. They also explore the formation of infinitives in various tenses and voices, applying these concepts in indirect discourse and periphrastic constructions. The chapter focuses on augment, imperfect, and first aorist tense formations, examining the differences in aspect and narrative usage. Through the analysis of historical texts, students practice identifying verb forms and their narrative functions while gaining a deeper understanding of infinitive constructions in indirect statements and purpose clauses.

Subordinate clauses and conjunctions are also explored, where students learn about temporal, causal, final, conditional, concessive, and relative clauses. They analyze how different moods—indicative, subjunctive, and optative—are used in dependent clauses and discuss the sequencing of tenses. Through the examination of literary texts, students observe the stylistic choices that contribute to narrative flow and argumentation. Finally, the chapter introduces reduplication and the formation of perfect and pluperfect tenses. By studying theological texts such as John 20:26-29 (The Faith of Thomas), students investigate how verb tenses convey theological concepts and express completed actions with present relevance.

The third and final chapter, “Advanced Grammar Types”, covers the second aorist tense, differentiating it from the first aorist in terms of verb formation and aspectual meaning. Students study common second aorist verb patterns and their role in storytelling and historical narration. The chapter focuses on pronouns, examining the forms and functions of demonstrative, indefinite, reciprocal, reflexive, interrogative, and relative pronouns. Emphasis is placed on their proper agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case, as well as their syntactical positioning within sentences. The analysis of Classical and Biblical texts helps reinforce their role in sentence cohesion and meaning.

Furthermore, students explore adverbs and their comparative and superlative degrees. They examine how adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, and they practice forming and identifying different degrees of comparison. Irregular adverbial forms are also studied, with attention to their rhetorical and stylistic functions in prose and poetry. The last part of the chapter consolidates the knowledge gained throughout Level B by reviewing all grammar topics covered, including noun and adjective declensions, verb tenses, participles, infinitives, and subordinate clauses. Students engage in text analysis, syntax practice, and translation exercises to reinforce their comprehension and application of grammatical structures.

The program concludes with a comprehensive assessment, including quizzes, translation exercises, and self-assessment activities to gauge individual progress. Reflection and discussion sessions allow students to address challenges encountered throughout the course and strategize for further study in Level C. Ultimately, the program provides a structured and engaging approach to mastering Classical Greek through interactive learning methodologies, ensuring that students develop a solid foundation in grammar, syntax, and textual analysis.

Assessment Test with open-ended and multiple choice, true-false and matching type questions

Online and distance learning at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers an innovative way of combining modern educational techniques with interactive engagement between tutors and fellow participants from around the world.

The e-learning courses are delivered through a user-friendly educational platform, specifically designed in line with Distance Learning Principles. Courses are structured into weekly units, with opportunities for interaction with tutors and peers within a supportive digital learning environment. Flexibility is central: you can access the material at any time that suits your schedule, provided you meet the set deadlines.

With e-learning, the whole world becomes your classroom. Courses can be followed on laptops, tablets, or smartphones, making learning highly mobile and accessible—whether you are at home, on a train, on a plane, or even traveling in Greece.

The educational platform provides access to high-quality electronic material based on the latest distance learning technologies. Its digital nature ensures that new tools and resources are continuously introduced to support active and personalized learning. Each participant receives personal login credentials, enabling access to the full range of training materials and interaction with instructors.

In addition, an integrated online communication system, supported by a personal email account, makes the learning process easier and more interactive. Trainees can directly contact their tutors or the course administration team to seek guidance, share concerns, or request clarification—ensuring a smooth and enriching experience.

Every week, participants receive new educational material, delivered as video lectures, lecture notes, presentations, or a combination of these formats. The material is released progressively, unit by unit, while important updates—such as deadlines for assignments—are communicated through the Announcement section of the platform.

To successfully complete a course, participants must fulfill all academic requirements. This includes submitting the required assessment exercises and achieving an overall average of at least 50% in the corresponding module tests. Grading follows a 0–100% scale.

Throughout the course, learners benefit from an educational experience designed and delivered by academics and lecturers of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as by experts from other universities, research institutes, and cultural organizations across Greece.