ClCv 110: Introduction to Greek and Roman Literature (Basic Classics)
Winter 2009
Course Objective: ClCv 110 is a course designed to fill an Arts and
Letters G.E. requirement; as such it will concentrate on the literature and
ideas of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Additionally, this course will provide
the student with a solid introductory grounding in the Greek and Roman Classics
by surveying the important literary genres of epic, tragedy, philosophy, and
historiography (the writing and interpreting of history).
TA: Chris Dawe,
chrisdawe868990@yahoo.com
.
Fall 2009 Syllabus
Course schedule (to-be-updated for 2008):
Course Introduction.
: Review of course objectives and standards; Introduction:
What are the Classics? Brief historical outline and periods of Greek
history. Genres of Classical literature—focusing on epic, tragedy, and
historiography with mention of comedy and philosoph
After class: Print and review
"Chronological
Overview" (posted online)
UNIT 1
Early Greek History, Religion, and Poetry.
Topics: The Bronze Age Aegean—Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece.
The Greek Dark Ages. The Oral Tradition and the "Heroic Age." Development of
Greek religion. The poetry of Homer and Hesiod as sources.
Reading:
"Historical Overviews: Bronze, Dark, and Heroic Ages" and
"Synopsis of the Greek
Pantheon" (posted online). After class: Review "Early
Greek History, Religion, and Poetry" presentation online.
The Trojan Cycle and Homer;
Iliad I.
Topics: Episodes from the Trojan Cycle; more on Homer; oral
poetry and epic; Homeric values. M nin or wrath; Akhilleus and
Agaménon quarrel; Thetis and Zeus; Concilium deorum—the gods in
council.
Reading: "Epic and Its
Values" and
"Problems in Translation and Transliteration: The Example of Epic"
(posted online); Fitzgerald’s introduction to Iliad, xi–xxxviii; Iliad 1
(Fitzgerald, 5–25). After class: review "Trojan Cycle and
Homer" presentation online.
Homer, Iliad II.
Topics: Zeus sends a false dream and Agamemnon tests the army;
Odysseus stops the run on the ships; the impudence of Thersítes; the
catalogue of Greek ships and then Trojan allies. Helen on the wall; the duel
of Aléxandros (Paris) and Meneláos; Aphrodite rescues Aléxandros. The gods
again in council; Pándaros breaks the truce; Athena and Ares urge on war, Agamémnon rouses his troops; a brutal battle scene.
Reading: Iliad
2–4 (Fitzgerald, 29–100 PB; 35–106 HC).
Homer, Iliad III.
Topics: The aristeia of Diomedes, fighting even with
gods. The Trojans in retreat; Diomedes and Glaukos; Hektor rebukes Paris;
Hektor, Andrómach , and Astýanax. The Trojans reach the Akhaian wall; Nestor
stirs the champions; mighty duels; proposal of Paris (Aléxandros) rejected;
the gods again in council and Zeus sways the battle; nightfall saves the
Akhaian ships.Reading: Iliad 5–8 (Fitzgerald, 103–193
PB; 109–199 HC).
Homer, Iliad IV.
: Panic sets in, Agamémnon disheartened; embassy to
Akhilleus; Prayers (Litai) and Folly (Ate); the embassy fails
but Phoinix remains. The spying mission of Odysseus and Diom d s; they
capture and kill Dolon, steal the horses of Rh sos. The aristeia of
Agamémnon; Akhilleus refuses to reenter the battle; Diom d s and others
wounded; Nestor persuades Patróklos. The Greeks retreat to their camp and
are besieged by the Trojans.
Reading: Iliad 9–12 (Fitzgerald, 197–289PB; 203–295 HC).
Homer, Iliad V.
: Zeus leaves the battle, Poseidon encourages the Greeks;
Trojans attack the sea-wall; Poulýdamos and the omen of the eagle and the
snake. Nestor counsels with Agamémnon, Odysseus, and Diomedes; Hera helps
Poseidon assist the by seducing Zeus. Zeus stops Poseidon from interfering;
he is stronger than all the gods; fighting by the ships with Aias fending
off torches. A ship in flames; Patróklos borrows Akhilleus’ armour; his
aristeia and hybris: kills Sarpedon and then is killed by Hektor.
Reading: Iliad 13–16 (Fitzgerald, 294–397PB; 300–403).
Homer, Iliad VI.
: The armies fight over the body and armour of
Patróklos. Akhilleus learns of the death of Patróklos and receives a
new suit of armour; the Shield of Akhilleus. Akhilleus is reconciled
with Agamémnon and enters battle. The gods join the battle;
Akhilleus tries to kill Aineías.
Reading: Iliad 17–20 (Fitzgerald, 401–83PB, 408–489 HC).
Homer, Iliad VII.
: Akhilleus does battle with the river Skamándros (Skamánder)
and encounters Hektor in front of the Trojan gates. Akhilleus kills
Hektor and drags his body back to the Greek camp. Funeral games for
Patroklus. Priam begs the body of Hektor from Akhilleus; the funeral
of Hektor, tamer of horses.
Reading: Iliad 21–24 (Fitzgerald, 487–588PB; 493–594 HC).
Review for Quiz 1
Introduction to Tragedy.
- Topics
: Dionysus and the Great Dionysia; tragoidia;
Aristotle on Tragedy.
- Reading
: "Development of Tragedy" (posted online).
- Quiz 1.
Aeschylus.
: The Nostoi or "Returns." The House of Atreus
and the Oresteia. The Art of Aeschylus. Agamemnon: Pivotal Points,
Themes, and Images.
Reading: Aeschylus, Agamemnon (Grene and Lattimore,
2–60).
Sophocles.
: Sophism, Sophoclean Drama, and Oedipus.
Reading: Sophocles, Oedipus the King (Grene and
Lattimore, 108–176).
Euripides.
: Euripides and characteristics of his tragedies; his
Medea; Hiuppolytus, an overview; the Power—and Destructiveness—of Love;
Divine (In)Justice?
Reading: Euripides, Hippolytus (Grene and Lattimore,
235–95).
EXAMINATION 1
Th05–F06Feb; late Sa07Feb
UNIT 2
Historiography and Empire.
: Brief sketch of the rise of the Athenian Empire;
Herodotus, the Father of History; Thucydides and a New Kind of
History.
Reading:
"The Athenian Empire" and
"Thucydides and a New
Kind of History" (posted online); Strassler and Hanson, ix–xxxi; see
ClCv 304 lecture 19.
Thucydides I.
(reading outline 1)
: Thucydides’ introduction; the archailogia;
disputes over Epidamnus, Corcyra, and Potidaea; the debate at
Sparta.
Reading: Th. 1.1–87 (Strassler, 3–48)
Thucydides II.
: The Pentekontaëtia; the allied congress at
Sparta; the stories of Pausanias and Themistocles; Sparta’s
ultimatum and Pericles’ reply.
Reading: Th. 1.88–146 (Strassler, 49–85); see ClCv 304
lecture 20.
Thucydides III. (reading
outline 2)
: Outbreak of the war: the Plataea incident. The "Archidamian
War." The first year of the war; Pericles’ Funeral Oration; the
plague; the policy of Pericles; siege of Plataea and victories of
Phormio.
Reading: Th. 2.1–92 (Strassler, 89–148); see ClCv 304 lecture
25.
Tuesday is Monday. Thucydides IV.
(reading outline 3,
for Thucydides IV and V)
Topics: Revolt of Mytilene; the Mytilenean Debate; the
end of Plataea; stasis or civil war in Corcyra.
Reading: Th. 3.1–85 (Strassler, 159–201)
Thucydides V.
: Athenian success at Pylos; debate between Nicias
and Cleon; Cleon takes the island; further Athenian successes; the
expedition of Brasidas to the Chalcidice; Brasidas takes Amphipolis.
Deaths of Cleon and Brasidas. The Peace of Nicias.
Reading: Th. 4.1–41, 75–123; 5.1–24 (Strassler, 223–46,
263–90, 301–316)
Thucydides VI.
(reading
outline 4)
- Quiz 2 (take-home) distributed.
Review
for Quiz 2 ; Thucydides
quotes list
- Topics
: The Melian Dialogue. The Sicilians Expedition.
Nicias’ caution rejected. Sparta sends Gylippus to help Syracuse.
Letter of Nicias. Destruction of the Athenian expedition. Panic in
Athens.
- Reading
: Th. 5.84–116; 6.1–26, 88[3]–105; 7.1–18, 37–87;
8.1–2 (Strassler, 350–57, 361–76, 410–423, 427–37, 449–478, 481–82).
Literature in War.
: Ac ommentary on Melos: Euripides’ Trojan Women.
Overview of Comedy: The development of "old" comedy; Aristophanes’
Acharnians, Clouds, and Lysistrata.
Reading: Excerpts from
Euripides’ Trojan Women and
overview of comedy (posted online).
Overview
of Plato.
: Natural Philosophers and Sophists. The Figure and
Trial of Socrates (cf. Plato’s Apology); the Socratic
Revolution; Plato and Greek Philosophy—idealism, the Theory of
Forms, and Mimesis.
Readings: Plato, excerpts from
Apology, (posted online); D&C 93:1–39.
Sketch of Roman History and
Early Roman Literature.
: The rise of Rome: the Early and Middle republics
(509–133 B.C.). Roman history in Greek? Early Latin poetry and the
comedies of Plautus and Terence. The "Roman Revolution" and the Late
Republic (133–27 B.C.).
Reading: "Overview of Roman Republican History and
Literature" (posted online). After class: review
carefully the PowerPoint presentations "Overview of Roman Republican
History" and "Overview of Early Roman Literature" online.
Sallust
Jugurthine War Handout (I-III)
Sallust, Jugurthine War I.
: Latin historiography. Sallust, his style and
method. Historical moralizing. The Metellans and the Roman
oligarchy. Jugurtha’s rise to power.
Readings: Sallust, Jugurthine War, chs. 1–3
(Hanford 7–46). After class review: "Sallust the
Historian; the Jugurthine War" online.
Sallust, Jugurthine War II.
: Jugurtha’s defiance of Rome. The first campaigns.
Metellus’ failed campaigns.
Reading: Sallust, Jugurthine War, chs. 4–8
(Hanford 47–115). After class review:continue
reviewing "Sallust the Historian; the Jugurthine War" online.
Sallust, Jugurthine War III.
: Marius, vir militaris and novus homo,
consul; raising a "professional army." Marius’ campaigns against
Jugurtha. The betrayal of Jugurtha.
Reading: Sallust, Jugurthine War, chs. 9–12
(Hanford 116–48). After class review: continue
reviewing "Sallust the Historian; the Jugurthine War" online.
Sallust, Conspiracy of Catiline
Handout (I-II).
Sallust, Conspiracy of Catiline I.
: The origins and detection of the Catilinarian
conspiracy; Catiline’s departure from Rome. Sallust’s preface to Conspiracy of Catiline. Catiline’s first attempt at revolution.
Reading: Sallust, Catilinarian Conspiracy 1–2
(Hanford, 151–93).
Sallust, Conspiracy of Catiline II.
: Sallust’s view of the civil war. Early stages of
the conspiracy. Traitors unmasked. The senatorial debate—the roles
and characters of Caesar and Cato. The defeat and death of Catiline.
Reading: Sallust, Catilinarian Conspiracy 3–7
(Hanford, 194–233).
Review 2a,
2b, 2c
EXAMINATION 2
Sa14 and M16Mar; late Tu17Mar
Roman Adaptations of Greek Philosophy.
: An Epicurean poem: Lucretius’ On the Nature of
Things. Cicero’s more palatable "cafeteria" philosophy.
Reading:
Grant’s introduction to
On the Good Life
and short excerpts from Discussion at Tusculum and "Dream of
Scipio" (posted online); after class carefully review "Roman
Adaptations of Greek Philosophy" online.
Augustus and Augustan Literature.
: The Rise of Augustus—the aftermath of Caesar’s
murder and the rise of Octavian; Actium: the victory over Antony and
Cleopatra; Augustus’ Constitutional Settlement. The Augustan
Program—Moral Reforms and the Restoration of Values
Reading: "Overview of Augustus and Augustan Literature"
(posted online); after class review carefully the
PowerPoint
presentation of the same name.
Vergil’s
Background; Vergil, Aeneid
I.
: Maecenas and literary patronage; Vergil’s poetic
development; the Aeneid: a new kind of epic. The "Odyssey"
section. The Gods and Aeneas; Aeneas in Africa.
Reading: Vergil, Aeneid 1(Fitzgerald, 3–30); after
class carefully review "Vergil and a New Kind of Epic."
Vergil, Aeneid II.
: The Fall of Troy—furor to pietas; a
New Future for the Family. The Odyssey and the Wanderings of
Aeneas—Prophecies and Portents; Death of Anchises.
Reading: Vergil, Aeneid 2–3 (Fitzgerald, 34–91).
Vergil, Aeneid III.
Topics
: The "Tragedy" of Dido; Funeral Games for Anchises.
Reading: Vergil, Aeneid 4–5 (Fitzgerald, 96–156).
Vergil, Aeneid IV.
Topics
: The "Iliad" Section. Vergil’s Book of the Dead; the
Iliad and war revisited.
Reading: Vergil, Aeneid 6–8 (Fitzgerald, 160–256).
PALM SUNDAY. Matt 21:1–17; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–48; John
12:12–19.
PASSOVER BEGINS AT SUNSET.
Vergil, Aeneid V.
Topics
: The Future of Rome and the Shield of Aeneas;
Nisus and Euryalus; the Gods and Battle; Turnus and Aeneas: the cost
of greatness—pietas versus furor; poetry or
propaganda: the meaning of the Aeneid.
Reading: Vergil, Aeneid 9–12 (Fitzgerald, 259–402).
THE LAST SUPPER AND GETHSEMANE. Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke
22; John 13:1–18:27.
GOOD FRIDAY. No class. Matthew 27; Mark 15;
Luke 23; John 18:28–19:42; 3 Nephi 8.
EASTER. Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20:1–18.
Seneca I. (Seneca final ppt)
Quiz 4 (take-home) distributed.
Topics: Silver Age of Latin Literature; career of Seneca;
Roman in camera tragedy. Thyestes.
Reading: Seneca, introduction and Thyestes (Watling,
7–93).
Seneca II.
Quiz 4 due.
Reading: Seneca, Oedipus (Watling, 207–251).
Seneca III.
Reading
: Seneca, Phaedra (Watling, 97–150).
Seneca IV.
Reading
: Seneca, Trojan Women (Watling, 153–204).
Paper due to my office by 5:00 p.m.
Final Examination (in-class), 7–10:00 p.m.