Ancient Studies
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Completed Masters and Doctorates

Material culture and imagery, art and iconography

  • Material culture and imagery of North Africa and Western Asia (Cornelius)
  • Classical art and iconography (Masters)
  • Ancient childhood and material culture (Masters)

    MASTERS LEVEL

    2011
    Posthumus, L. Hybrid monsters in the classical world: the nature and function of hybrid monsters in Greek mythology, literature and art (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2012
    Basson, D. The Goddess Hathor and the women of Egypt (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2013
    Haynes, D. The symbolism and significance of the butterfly in Ancient Egypt (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    Moodie, M.  Drawing the divide: The nature of Athenian identity as reflected in the depiction of the 'other' in Attic red-figure vase painting in the fifth century BCE  (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: S. Masters)
    2014
    Baldwin, S. Bit by Bit: an Iconographic study of horses in the reliefs of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (883-859BC) (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2015
    Westhead, J.M. Royal ideology in Mesopotamian iconography of the third and second millennia BCE with special reference to gestures (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2016
    Martin, A.  Never simply nudity: A study of the functions of the nude female figure in Classical Athenian vase-painting c. 480-420 BCE (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: S. Masters)
    2017
    Robertson, E. Growing up Greek: The differing journeys through childhood in ancient Athens and Sparta (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: S. Masters)
    2018
    Pio, H. Baboons in ancient Egyptian art: the significance of the baboon motif in the funerary art of the New Kingdom (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2019
    Sanders, M. Childhood companions: Children and pets on Attic red-figure vase paintings (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisors: S. Masters and A. de Villiers)

    DOCTORATE LEVEL

    1995
    Klingbeil, M.G. Yahweh fighting from heaven. God as warrior and as god of heaven in the Hebrew Psalter and ancient Near Eastern iconography (D.Litt. Ancient Near Eastern Studies. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2004
    Swart, L. A stylistic comparison of selected visual representations on Egyptian funerary papyri of the 21st Dynasty and wooden funerary stelae of the 22nd Dynasty (c. 1069-715 BCE) (D.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2015
    Klop, D.J.O. Beer as a signifier of social status in ancient Egypt with special emphasis on the New Kingdom period (ca. 1550 – 1069 BCE) (Ph.D. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)
    2016
    Van Dijk, R.M. The form, function and symbolism of standards in ancient Mesopotamia during the third and fourth millennia BCE: An iconographical study (Ph.D. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: I. Cornelius)

Bible languages, translation and interpretation

  • Cognitive linguistics and the translation of the Bible (Van der Merwe)
  • The semantics and pragmatics of Biblical Hebrew (Van der Merwe)
  • The Hebrew Bible and the ancient world (Cornelius)
  • Linguistics and translation of the Greek New Testament (Thom)
  • The New Testament and the ancient world (Thom)

    MASTERS LEVEL

    2005
    Van Alten, H.H. Die aoristos en imperfektum in Handelinge [The aorist and imperfect tense in Acts] (M.A. Classical Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2008
    Yoo, C-K. Paragraphs as episodes: distinguishing paragraphs in Biblical Hebrew narrative texts on the basis of linguistic devices (M.A. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2010
    Westbury. J. A discourse-pragmatic description of Left-Dislocation in Biblical Hebrew (M.A. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2011
    Rodriguez, D. A cognitive linguistic description of תחת in Biblical Hebrew (M.A. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2012
    Lyle, K. A cognitive semantics assessment of עִם and אֵת's semantic potential in Genesis, Chronicles and Psalms (M.A. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    Mena, A. The semantic potential of עַל in Genesis, Psalms, and Chronicles (M.A. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2016
    Lee, Y.S. Semantic description of the BH lexeme אֶל : A cognitive approach (M.A. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2017
    Du Plessis, L.M. An intertextual study of the formulaic fulfilment quotations in the Gospel of Matthew (M.A. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)

    DOCTORATE LEVEL

    1995
    Landon, C.H. A text-critical study of the Epistle of Jude (D.Litt. Greek. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    1997
    Meister, M.F.  Interrogatives in Biblical Hebrew: a case study in the Joseph narrative (Ph.D Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2000
    Payle, K. Final sentences in Biblical Hebrew prose (Ph.D Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2001
    Smith. K.G. Bible translation and relevance theory: the translation of Titus (D.Litt. Biblical Languages. Supervisor J.C. Thom; co-supervisor C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2004
    Floor, S. From information structure, topic and focus to theme in Biblical Hebrew narrative (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    Moomo, D.  The meaning of the Biblical Hebrew verbal conjugations from a cross-linguistic perspective (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2005
    Foster, S. An experiment in Bible translation as transcultural communication: The translation of ברית 'Covenant' into Lomwe, with a focus on Leviticus 26 (D.Th. Old Testament. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2006
    Pohlig, J.  A cognitive analysis of similes in the book of Hosea (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2007
    Runge, S. A discourse-functional description of participant reference in Biblical Hebrew narrative (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2008
    Chemorion, D.C.  Narrative and poetry genre in the book of Jonah: Towards a participatory approach in Bible Translation (D.Th. Old Testament. Supervisor L.C. Jonker; co-supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    Imbayarwo, T.B. A Biblical Hebrew lexicon for translators based on recent developments in theoretical lexicography (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: R. Gouws)
    2009
    Steyn, G.J. A quest for the Vorlage of the explicit quotations in Ad Hebraeos (D.Litt. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: J. Cook; co-supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2011
    Bosman, T.  Biblical Hebrew lexicology and cognitive semantics: a study of lexemes of affection (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    Heath, D.M. Chiastic structures in Hebrews (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    Thompson, J. Learning Biblical Hebrew vocabulary: insights from second language vocabulary acquisition (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: J. Oosthuizen)
    2012
    Kim, J. The pastoral letter in early Christianity up to the early fifth century C.E. (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2013
    Van den Heever, M.  Idioms in Biblical Hebrew: towards their identification and classification (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: E.R. Wendland)
    Yoo, C-J. A cognitive linguistic description of Biblical Hebrew connectives (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2014
    Berman, S.K. Analyzing the frames of a Bible: the case of the Setswana translations of the book of Ruth (D.Phil. Bible Interpretation. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: E.R. Wendland)
    Cherney, K.A. Portuguese versions of Second Isaiah as case study (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: H.L. Bosman)
    Megahan, M.L. Some lexemes for joy in Biblical Hebrew. A cognitive linguistic investigation (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: P.A. Kruger)
    Westbury, J. Left-dislocation in Biblical Hebrew: A cognitive linguistic account (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    2015
    Watt, M. Re-sculpting Hebrew poetry: the re-creation of a sacred text  exemplified by Psalms 2, 3 and 131 (Ph.D. Biblical Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe; co-supervisor: E.R. Wendland)
    2017
    Bivin, W.E. The particle 'im and conditionality in Biblical Hebrew revisited: A cognitive linguistic account (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    Locatell, C.S. Grammatical polysemy in the Hebrew Bible: A cognitive linguistic approach to kî (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)
    More, J. Is Jesus king? a critical examination of Paul's thought in the context of the Hellenistic kingship topos (Ph.D. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    Rodriguez, D.L. The Biblical Hebrew prepositions taḥat, ʻal, ʼaḥar and lifnê/mifnê: A cognitive linguistic account (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: C.H.J. van der Merwe)

Religion, philosophy and morality in ancient texts

  • Greek and Roman moral philosophy and religions (Thom)
  • Early Christian literature (Thom, A Kotzé)

    MASTERS LEVEL

    2001
    Conroy, D. A practical moral identity in Seneca's Epistulae Morales (M.A. Classical Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2004
    Bjarnason, P. Philosophy of consolation: the Epicurean Tetrapharmakos (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2011
    Raal, E.M. The good life according to Seneca (M.A. Classical Literature. Supervisor: S. Thom; co-supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2012
    Louw, L. Eirōneia or ironia: on the nature and function of Socratic irony (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2017
    Park, J.H. The Persian King as a topos (M.A. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)

    DOCTORATE LEVEL

    2007
    Evans, A. The development of Jewish ideas of angels: Egyptian and Hellenistic connections ca. 600 BCE and c.200 CE (D.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: J. Cook; co-supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2016
    Warren, L. Psychagogy in Plutarch's Moralia and Parallel Lives: the image of the ideal woman (Ph.D. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)

Museum and heritage studies

  • A catalogue of artefacts from ancient Egypt and Western Asia in South African collections (Cornelius)
  • South African Mummy Project (Cornelius)
  • Collections of classical antiquities in South African Museums (Masters)

    MASTERS LEVEL

    2015
    Graham, S. Collections of Classical antiquities in Durban, South Africa (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: S. Masters)

Greek and Latin literature, individual and society

  • Roman lyric and elegiac poetry (De Villiers)
  • Roman epic (De Villiers)
  • Augustine (A Kotzé) 
  • Late antiquity (Thom, A Kotzé)

    MASTERS LEVEL

    1991
    Du Toit, M. Die onderrig van sterrekunde in die Hellenistiese tyd [The teaching of astronomy in the Hellenistic age] (M.A. Classical Culture. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    1996
    Janse van Rensburg, C. A grammatical and historical commentary on two poems by Paulinus of Nola (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)
    2001
    Du Plessis, A.F.J. 'n Literêr-Inhoudelike Analise van Boek 7 van Augustinus se Confessiones: Augustinus se begrip van die bestaanwyse van God en die Kwaad [A literary content analysis of Book 7 of Augustine's Confessions: Augstine's understanding of the existence of God and Evil] (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisors: A. Kotzé and J.C. Thom)
    2005
    Smit, C. Bakens op die weg: Die bekeringsverhale van Augustinus en C.S. Lewis [Signposts on the Way: The conversion stories of Augustine and C.S. Lewis] (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)
    2011
    Roos, A. St Augustine's Confessiones: the role of the imago Dei in his conversion to Catholic Christianity (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)
    2012
    Backhouse, G. Descriptions of swords in the death scenes of Dido and Turnus in the Aeneid (M.A. Classical Literature. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)   
    Daniels, A.L. Justice in Augustine's City of God (M.Phil. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)
    2013
    Welman, T. The feminine Other in Euripides' Hecuba: exploring tensions in the masculine classical polis  (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisors: F. Pauw and S. Masters)
    2014
    Erasmus, A. Verweerde skrif: 'n tematiese ondersoek na ouderdom, verganklikheid, aftakeling en sterflikheid in die vroeë Griekse digkuns [Eroded writing: a thematic investigation of old age, frailty, decay, and mortality in early Greek poetry] (M.A. Classical Literature. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2015
    Zhu, M. X. Orestes' matricide. The transformation of Orestes' role from the Oresteia to The Flies (M.A. Ancient Cultures. Supervisors: A. Kotzé and S. Masters)
    2017
    Danon, B. Celeritas Caesariana: Reputation, representation and reality (M.A. Ancient Languages. Supervisors: A. de Villiers and A. Kotzé)

    DOCTORATE LEVEL

    2003
    Kotzé, A. The protreptic-paraenetic purpose of Augustine's Confessions and its Manichean audience (D.Litt. Classical Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2005
    Boeke, J. du P. Wisdom in Pindar: gnomai, cosmology and the role of the poet (D.Litt. Classical Languages. Supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    2014
    Coombes, M.J. Augustine's Contra Fortunatum: Perspectives from critical discourse (Ph.D. Ancient Cultures. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)
    2016
    De Villiers, A. Catullus decentred: the poetics of the periphery (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: S. Thom; co-supervisor: J.C. Thom)
    Jordaan, D. The intertextual relationship between Augustine's Confessions and the Letter to the Romans (Ph.D. Ancient Languages. Supervisor: A. Kotzé)

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