[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2000/2001

History and Literature of the Roman Revolution (44-27 B.C.)
CCIV 116 FA
Crosslistings:
HIST 126

This course will examine the events and literature of the civil war years from the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. to the consolidation of power in the hands of Rome's first emperor, Augustus, in the 20s. We will look both at the struggle for power by Octavian, Marc Antony, and others, and at the response to crisis of the intelligentsia, as a new generation of historians and poets both fled from the real world to the escape of literary pursuits and also grappled with the events of the day through writing and hoped to influence that real world. Primary readings will include late Cicero, Sallust's two historical monographs, and the earlier work of the poets Vergil and Horace and the historian Livy. We will also read a basic survey of Roman history, one classic of modern historiography (Syme's 1939 THE ROMAN REVOLUTION), and a historical novel. The class will begin with background study of Roman history, and throughout the term, readings will be supplemented by occasional minilectures on s uch topics as minor literary and historical figures, Roman coins and monuments, and political invective.

MAJOR READINGS

R. Syme, THE ROMAN REVOLUTION H. Scullard, FROM THE GRACCHI TO NERO: A HISTORY OF ROME FROM 133 B.C. TO A.D. 68 Cicero, selections from LETTERS, PHILIPPICS, and ON DUTIES Sallust, THE JUGURTHINE WAR and CONSPIRACY OF CATILINE Livy, THE EARLY HISTORY OF ROME Horace, EPODES and SATIRES Vergil, ECLOGUES and GEORGICS John Williams, AUGUSTUS: A NOVEL

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Four-five short (2 p.) papers, some of each of which will be read and discussed in class, and a final paper or take-home essay exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No prior knowledge of Roman history or literature is required; the course may serve as an introduction to Roman culture. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459