Greek 101: Learning an Ancient Language

Overview

Course No. 2280

Discover the beauty and complexity of Ancient Greek through this comprehensive 36-lecture course by Professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller. Using Homer’s Iliad and the New Testament as primary texts, you’ll master the fundamentals of this influential language that shaped Western literature, philosophy, and religion.

From the elegant Greek alphabet to sophisticated verb conjugations, each lesson builds your skills through practical examples and engaging exercises. You’ll experience firsthand why translations can’t capture the full power of Greek, while gaining the tools to appreciate classics like Plato’s dialogues, Sappho’s poetry, and the Septuagint in their original form.

Video Lectures

01: The Greek Alphabet & Pronunciation (34 min)

Master the 24 letters and diphthongs of the Greek alphabet using classical pronunciation.

02: First-Declension Nouns (31 min)

Learn feminine noun endings and how cases function differently than in English.

03: Basic Rules of Greek Accentuation (32 min)

Understand acute, grave, and circumflex accents invented by Aristophanes of Byzantium.

04: Additional Patterns of the First Declension (31 min)

Compare Homeric and Koine Greek variations in first-declension nouns.

05: Verbs in the Present Tense (30 min)

Study present active indicative verbs and their primary endings.

06: Adjective Forms & Second-Declension Nouns (30 min)

Expand into masculine/neuter nouns and their adjectival forms.

07: Building Basic Translation Skills (30 min)

Practice translating between English and both Homeric/Koine Greek.

08: First- & Second-Declension Pronouns (31 min)

Discover how pronouns evolved from Homeric to Koine Greek.

09: Verbs in the Imperfect Tense (31 min)

Learn to describe ongoing past actions using augments and secondary endings.

10: Verbs in the Future & Aorist Tenses (31 min)

Master principal parts for recognizing different verb tenses.

11: First-Declension Masculine Nouns (29 min)

Identify masculine exceptions to first-declension patterns.

12: The Root Aorist (29 min)

Analyze second aorist and root aorist forms in biblical/Homeric texts.

13: Third-Declension Nouns (32 min)

Decipher this challenging declension through genitive case identification.

14: Understanding Dactylic Hexameter (29 min)

Read Iliad lines 1-5 while learning Homer’s epic meter rules.

15: Practicing Dactylic Hexameter (32 min)

Recite Homer while studying third-declension neuter endings.

16: The Middle/Passive Voice (31 min)

Distinguish middle voice (self-interest) from passive constructions.

17: Aorist & Imperfect Middle/Passive (32 min)

Compare primary and secondary middle/passive endings in Iliad 11-16.

18: Perfect & Pluperfect Active (30 min)

Study completed actions using the fourth principal part.

19: Forming and Using Infinitives (30 min)

Construct infinitives across tenses with New Testament examples.

20: Active Participles (31 min)

Learn these verbal adjectives through Iliad 22-27 and Matthew.

21: Middle/Passive Participles (31 min)

Decode compact meaning in participles from Iliad 28-32.

22: Perfect System Middle/Passive (32 min)

Form perfect tenses using the fifth principal part.

23: The Subjunctive Mood (32 min)

Recognize this mood’s distinctive long vowels in hypotheticals.

24: Active Imperatives (30 min)

Issue commands in present and aorist tenses (Iliad 39-47).

25: Middle/Passive Imperatives (32 min)

Study imperative forms in Matthew 3:2 and Iliad 48-52.

26: The Optative Mood (32 min)

Express wishes with this distinctive verb form (Iliad 53-58).

27: The Aorist Passive (32 min)

Master this common tense through the Lord’s Prayer (Iliad 59-63).

28: Third-Declension Adjectives (32 min)

Expand adjective knowledge with particles and Iliad 64-69.

29: Demonstratives (30 min)

Use “this/that” pronouns in Luke 23 and Iliad 70-75.

30: Personal & Possessive Pronouns (30 min)

Compare NT and Homeric forms while discovering chiasmus.

31: Relative & Interrogative Pronouns (31 min)

Ask questions with “who/which” in Iliad 81-85.

32: Regular -μι Verbs Active (30 min)

Conjugate these important though less common verbs.

33: -μι Verbs Middle/Passive (32 min)

Study more regular forms in Luke 22:19 and Iliad 86-100.

34: Review of -μι Verbs (31 min)

Distinguish ω-verbs from μι-verbs in the Lord’s Prayer.

35: The Verb εἰμί (30 min)

Conjugate “to be” while learning Greek numbers (Iliad 109-117).

36: Irregular Verbs & Continuing Study (30 min)

Master “to go/know” and complete Iliad 118-125 with future study tips.