Roman Culture Syllabus
Ramsby,
Indiana University
Purpose
The Roman empire lasted nearly a millennium, spreading eventually from India to the British Isles and from Germany to Egypt. Many aspects of Roman culture still remain in our own modern way of doing things. This course is meant to help you un derstand the history and culture of ancient Rome, but also appreciate how that history and culture extend into our own day and age.
Culture of course includes many activities and social structures. In order to understand Roman culture, we will look at Rome’s religion, economy, military, class-structure, language, literature, and education. We will also look at the roles of va rious peoples within Roman culture: the wealthy, the poor, slaves, freedmen, women, children, non-Romans, politicians and gladiators.
Chronology
This course follows a general chronology of historical progression. We begin with the foundation of Rome and move through the period of monarchies to the Republican period, and on to the Empire. Along the way we will pay particular attention to various artists, politicians, military leaders and others whose accomplishments resonate into our own time.
Textbooks
In order to fully appreciate Roman culture, you must read actual Roman literature, and therefore a mere textbook will not suffice. Each book listed provides you with information about specific periods in Rome’s development. You will notice th at the lectures will NOT summarize the readings, and therefore it is important that you keep up with the readings on your own.
1. Livy, The Early History of Rome, tr. A. de Selincourt, Penguin/Viking, orig. 1960.
2. Cicero, Selected Works, tr. M. Grant, Penguin/Viking, orig. 1960.
3. Vergil, The Aeneid, tr. R. Fitzgerald, Random House, 1990.
4. Lindsey Davis, Silver Pigs, Ballantine Books, Reprint edition, 1993.
5. Henry C. Boren, Roman Society, D.C. Heath, 1992.
Images and Internet
Slides will be shown on a regular basis, and you will be expected to identify particular monuments and works and styles of art. To aid your studies, I have set up a Web page with links to sites that contain similar images- http://www.indian a.edu/~class2/tramsby/c102
One page which you will find very helpful was created by Professor Bannon in the IU Classics department and its address is http://www.indiana.edu/~lupa.
Requirements
This course requires two exams, three short written assignments called contracts (to be explained), periodic quizzes, and an internet report (to be explained). Daily attendance is very important and will also be considered in the grade.
2 exams = 60% 3 contracts = 15% quizzes and class participation = 15% internet report = 10%
Office Hours and Contacts
You are encouraged to come to office hours and ask any questions you have.
Instructor: Teresa Ramsby, Ballantine Hall, 651, T&W 11:45 - 12:45, tramsby@indiana.edu
Assistant Instructor: James Wells, Fine Arts Library Reading Room, T&Th, 2 - 3, jawells@indiana.edu
Reading Assignments
Week 1: The Foundation of Rome, the Monarchies, and the Rise of the Republic
T 5/11 Introductions
W 5/12 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 1 pp. 33-56
Th 5/13 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 1 pp. 57-77
F 5/14 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 1 pp. 77-101
Week 2: The Early Republic
M 5/17 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 2 pp. 105-140
Contract 1: Foundation Story
T 5/18 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 2 pp. 140-170
W 5/19 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 2-3 pp. 170-206
Th 5/20 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 3 pp. 206-240
F 5/21 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 3 pp. 240-265
Week 3: The Middle Republic and the Politics of Expansion
M 5/24 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 5 pp. 341-353,
Boren, Roman Society, pp. 23-37
Contract 2: Popular Movements/Grass-Roots Organization
T 5/25 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 5 pp. 353-376,
Boren, Roman Society, pp. 39-64
W 5/26 Livy, The Early History of Rome, Book 5 pp. 376-402
Th 5/27 Boren, Roman Society, pp. 65-92,
Review
F 5/28 Exam 1
Week 4: The Decline of the Republic and the Rise of the Autocrats
M 5/31 Memorial Day observed - No Class
T 6/1 Boren, Roman Society, pp. 93-127
Cicero, Selected Works, "Letters" pp. 58-68
W 6/2 Boren, Roman Society, 127-137,
Cicero, Selected Works, "Letters" pp. 77-91
Th 6/3 Cicero, Selected Works, "Letters" pp. 93-100
Cicero, Selected Works, "Attack on an Enemy of Freedom: The Second Philippic against Antony" pp. 101-116
F 6/4 Cicero, Selected Works, "Attack on an Enemy of Freedom: The Second Philippic against Antony" pp. 132-153
Boren, Roman Society pp. 163-179
Week 5: The Rise of Octavian (Augustus) and the Age of Empire
M 6/7 Vergil, The Aeneid Book 1
Contract 3: Images of Decadence
T 6/8 Vergil, The Aeneid Books 2-3
W 6/9 Vergil, The Aeneid Book 4
Th 6/10 Vergil, The Aeneid Books 5-6
F 6/11 Vergil, The Aeneid Books 12
Week 6: The "Silver Age" of Rome and the Military Emperors
M 6/14 Internet Report due
Davis, Silver Pigs
Boren, Roman Society, pp. 193-207
T 6/15 Davis, Silver Pigs
Boren, Roman Society, pp. 233-256
W 6/16 Review
Th 6/17 Exam 2