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Academic Year 2004/2005

Romans and Christians: The World of Late Antiquity
CCIV 275 FA
Crosslistings:
RELI 258
HIST 250
MDST 275

The emperor Diocletian's administrative and financial reforms, closely followed by the conversion of Constantine to Christianity, mark a watershed in the history of the Late Roman Empire. From A.D. 284 (accession of Diocletian) until the establishment of the Germanic successor kingdoms (roughly in the 6th century)--the period known as Late Antiquity--the Roman West presents a fascinating picture of cultural change. In this course we will study the period (4th to 6th century) from three different perspectives: the conversion of Romans to Christians and of Christians to "Romans"; the material world of late antiquity--especially the changes to the city of Rome--and the art, architecture, and literature of the period; the rise of the cult of the saints and monasticism and the lives of the holy men and women. The course will conclude with an epilogue pursuing these themes in Ostrogothic Italy and Merovingian Gaul.

MAJOR READINGS

Augustine, CONFESSIONS
Ausonius, MOSELLE
Boethius, CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY
Peter Brown, THE CULT OF THE SAINTS
Gerontius, LIFE OF ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER
Paulinus of Pella, POEM OF THANKSGIVING
Prudentius, POEMS ON THE MARTYRS (Selections)
Rutilius Namatianus, ON HIS RETURN TO HIS HOMELAND
Sulpicius Severus, LIFE OF ST. MARTIN
Venantius Fortunatus, LIFE OF ST. RADEGUND
--and brief selections from the correspondence of Ambrose, Ausonius and Jerome, the history of Amm ianus Marcellinus, the poems and correspondence of Paulinus of Nola.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

A mid-term and a final; two short papers.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Regular class attendance expected.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

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-21-2005

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