Assignment:
Write on one of the following topics:
Topic 1:
What are the major conflicts in The Aeneid? Go beyond just Dido and Aeneas, Greeks and Trojans, to consider other less obvious ones.
What types of conflicts (physical, moral, intellectual, or internal) can you detect? Describe the conflict(s), and resolution if there is one, in detail with multiple references to the text in your response.
Topic 2:
Compare carefully the opening lines of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid. How does the opening of Virgil's poem set itself apart from those earlier openings of Homer, which most of his readers could repeat by heart? How is Virgil's introduction both alike and different from Homer's? Especially, how does the opening of Virgil's poem sound out themes that are unique to Roman culture, its historical role, and its age? Use multiple details, examples, quotations in your response.
Overview
We will trace Rome's rise to power and the consequences that followed. Also, we will explore the rise ot Macedonia and how Phillip II leyeraged Greece's disunity to make his small country a more powertul. Then we will explore the Hellenistic kingdoms and look at how these societies and governments were organized.
Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
• Analyze the reasons for the execution of Socrates and identify the philosophies of his students, Plato and Aristotle.
• Explain the rise of Alexander's empire
• Discuss the primary teatures of the Hellenistic kingdoms
• Identify the combination of Greek and Near Eastern elements in Hellenistic culture
• Identify Roman values and their role in family religion, and public lite
• Explain the transition from monarchy to republic
• Analyze the reasons for and consequences of Roman Imperialism
• Explain the civil wars and end of the Roman Republic
Lecture
Hellenism and the Rise of Rome
In the tradition pf the Greeks, the Romans built their empire and quickly expanded and institutionalized their society We will discuss how this rapid growth tormed one of the most powerful civilizations in history.
Reading
The Making of the West
Chapter: From the ciassical to the Hellenistic World 400-30 BCE
• Read how during this period of political, social, and cultural change, this region of the world was transformed
Chapter: The Rise of Rome and Its Republic 753-44 BCE
Explore the rise of Rome, its domination, expansion, and violent disintegration The Norton Anthology of World literature, Vol. 1
Reading the excerpt in your textbook should suffice to address any as however, it you wish to read a complete primary source version, use the link provided.
I: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Literature
• Virail The Aeneid
• For a complete primary source: The Aeneid A
• This epic poem was inspired by the foundation of Rome and has become a very influential text in the study of the Western cultural and literary traditions
For more resources, refer to the Evans Library Research Guide.