Classical Texts and Traditions II - Across Oceans of Time: Classical Roman Texts (CIVIC 49B, CLASSICS 49B)

3–5 credits · Undergraduate

From the title of Vince Gilligan's show Pluribus, via the US's motto E pluribus unum, to Augustinus's Confessions and, ultimately, Cicero's On Duties: therein it is states as an ideal "that, in friendship, one be out of many (unus fiat ex pluribus)." The Roman Republic and Empire produced texts - including Catullus' love poems and Cicero's oratory ("How much longer, Catiline!"), Tacitus's biting history and Juvenal's roaring Satires ("Who will guard the guardians?") - that would influence traditions and cultures for millennia to come, lasting till this day. This class will introduce participants to some of the most influential texts, their respective contexts (including the circumstances of their production), and aspects of their afterlives. No knowledge of the Latin language is required.