Introduction to Ancient Rome

• • Rome’s Origin Stories: Virgil’s Aeneid
  • Rome’s Origin Stories:Romulus and Lucretia
  • Public and Private Life in the Roman Republic
  • Roman Expansion
  • The Breakdown of the Republic
  • Caesar’s RomeCatullus’ personal poetry
  • The Establishment of the Principate
  • Augustan Literature
  • The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
  • Neronian Literature
  • The Flavian DynastyRoman coins
  • Roman ReceptionReview

No eligibility requirements

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

This subject introduces you to the world of ancient Rome through the study of ancient literary texts in translation. We learn how to analyse and interpret the perspectives of ancient writers who wrote across different literary genres and time periods in the Roman world. Mytho-historical narratives about the foundation of Rome provide a starting point for our exploration of how the Romans constructed their cultural identity through literature. Political speeches and personal poetry give us a window into the society and politics of the late Republic. Imperial biographies and plays illustrate how texts were used to critique power and authority in the Roman empire. This subject provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills required for further studies in Classics.

• Take Home Exam (40%)
• Primary Text Analysis (15%)
• Weekly Online Quizzes (10%)
• Major Essay (35%)

Current study term: 10 Jul 22 to 16 Oct 22