Syllabus. Links. Reports Bibliography
Course Description:
An introduction to the literature of the period from the assassination
of Caesar to the death of Augustus, and to the historical and social
events that lie behind the literature. Selected readings from
Augustus’ Res Gestae, Horace’ Odes; Vergil's Eclogues, Georgics, and
Aeneid, the early books of Livy, and Ovid’s Metamorphoses, as well as
other shorter texts (perhaps Gallus, Sulpicia, or other works of
Horace).
Books:
Res Gestae Divi Augusti, ed Brunt
and Moore (Oxford)
Livy: Book I, ed. by J. L. Whiteley, Duckworth
Virgil Opera, ed. Roger Mynors (OCT)
Ovid Metamorphoses, ed. R. J. Tarrant (OCT)
Horace: Epodes and Odes (Oklahoma), ed. by Garrison
optional:
Livy Ab Urbe Condita Books I-V, ed. R. Ogilvie (OCT)
Commentaries on all authors will be put on reserve in the Classics
Library
Requirements/Procedures:
Regular class attendance, extensive translation in class, "take-home"
closed-book e-mail quizzes after every author (except that those other
than Classics Ph.D. students will take an exam Feb. 20). Regular
modest secondary readings. Brief class reports on authors or works not read in Latin
followed by small expository (not argumentative or original) writing
assignment: type up 4-5 page version of your class reports to
distribute (after revisions) to the class. Cumulative final exam:
translation and questions about passages.
Some simple help on the
hexameter:
basic
rules
(actually this is a
Vergil handout), and practical
rules for scansion.