Latin Survey II: Roman Literary Culture in the Early Empire

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This survey of Latin literature from the end of the republic through the mid empire traces the development of the major genres and literary movements in "Silver" Latin. We shall read in Latin selections from the Augustan poets, the historians of the empire, the tragedies and philosophical works of Seneca, Petronius, the epic poets, Statius' and later lyric, and a few late Latin works. Additional readings will include other Roman and Greek literary works and a sampling of the most important modern studies. This course will also introduce students to scholarly interpretation and methods in the literary and cultural criticism of Latin literature.