Age of Nero

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

In this intermediate-level Latin course, students will study the literature and culture of the reign of Nero (AD 54-68), the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors and one of the most notorious figures in all of Roman history. Readings will focus on: 1) the philosophical writings of Seneca the Younger, Nero’s tutor and political advisor; 2) the picaresque novel Satyricon by Petronius, a member of Nero’s court. In the process, students will strengthen their skills in translation and stylistic analysis of Latin prose. This course ultimately prepares students for advanced study in Latin prose literature.