Andrew M Riggsby

 

This class will cover the story of the Roman empire from the death of Caesar to the fall of Rome in A.D. 476.  After working our way through the narrative of this period (about half th semester), we will examine a number of topics that cut across time.  The course will touch on politics, law, war, the economy, social classes, gender, and psychopathic emperors.  Grading: weekly quizzes 10% 2 exams 45% final exam 45% Texts: Ancient Rome: A Military and Political History, Christopher S. Mackay  

We will study a variety of early Latin texts (laws, epitaphs, poems, oratory, history), building to a reading of one of the first major works of Latin "literature": Plautus' Casina. Attention will be given both to linguistic and literary issues. Among the latter will be the early evolution of genres, the role of Greek models, the role of performance, and the applicability of the notion of "literature" itself.

Requirements and Grading: 365: Final 40%, Midterm 25%, Paper 20%, Participation 15% 385: Final 25%, Midterm 20%, Paper 35%, Participation 20% [students enrolled in 385 will also do additional Latin and secondary readings not covered during class]

 

We will study a variety of early Latin texts (laws, epitaphs, poems, oratory, history), building to a reading of one of the first major works of Latin "literature": Plautus' Casina. Attention will be given both to linguistic and literary issues. Among the latter will be the early evolution of genres, the role of Greek models, the role of performance, and the applicability of the notion of "literature" itself.

Requirements and Grading: 365: Final 40%, Midterm 25%, Paper 20%, Participation 15% 385: Final 25%, Midterm 20%, Paper 35%, Participation 20% [students enrolled in 385 will also do additional Latin and secondary readings not covered during class]

 

Covers the period from Rome's foundation through Caesar's murder in 44 B.C.  The emphasis placed on the last two centuries of the Republic when problems accumulated and solutions did not.  All the factors contributing to the Republic's fall will discussed:  political, military, social, economic, religious, etc..

 Grading:

2 quizzes (each 25%) requiring essay answers

Final exam (50%) requiring essay answers

Texts:

M. Cary & H.H. Scullar, A History of Rome (3rd ed.)

Plutarch, Fall of the Roman Republic (Penguin)

Sallust, Jugarthine War & The Conspiracy of Catiline (Penguin)

 Optional:

Appian, Civil Wars (Penguin)

We will study selections from Caesar's Gallic War, setting them in various literary, historical, and cultural contexts. The course will cover the new AP syllabus, plus other important passages.

Requirements and Grading: LAT 323: class participation (10%), mid-term (30%), a short paper (2000 words., 25%), and a final (mostly translation, 35%).

LAT 385: class participation (10%), mid-term (25%), a longer paper (3500 words., 35%), and a final (mostly translation, 30%), plus additional readings outside of class.

Texts: Riggsby, Caesar in Gaul and Rome

Caesar (ed. Walser) Bellum Gallicum

We will study selections from Caesar's Gallic War, setting them in various literary, historical, and cultural contexts. The course will cover the new AP syllabus, plus other important passages.

Requirements and Grading: LAT 323: class participation (10%), mid-term (30%), a short paper (2000 words., 25%), and a final (mostly translation, 35%).

LAT 385: class participation (10%), mid-term (25%), a longer paper (3500 words., 35%), and a final (mostly translation, 30%), plus additional readings outside of class.

Texts: Riggsby, Caesar in Gaul and Rome

Caesar (ed. Walser) Bellum Gallicum

This class will cover the story of the Roman empire from the death of Caesar to the fall of Rome in A.D. 476.  After working our way through the narrative of this period (about half th semester), we will examine a number of topics that cut across time.  The course will touch on politics, law, war, the economy, social classes, gender, and psychopathic emperors. 

Grading:

2 quizzes (each 25%) requiring essay answers

Final exam (50%) requiring essay answers

Texts:

Ancient Rome: A Military and Political History, Christopher S. Mackay

Roman Law

Dr. Riggsby

This class will have 3 parts.  1) Introduction to the general outlines of Roman law.  2) close study of primary sources on one area of law. 3) discussion of special problems in Roman law, and how they have been approached over time.

Readings

Roman Law and the Legal World of the Romans, Andrew M. Riggsby

A Casebook on Roman Property, Herbert Hausmaninger (Author), Richard Gamauf (Author), George A. Sheets (Author)

 Requirements

2 exams 15% each

Short paper 20%

Long paper 30%

Participation 20%

The aim of the is course is to survey Roman History, concentrating on the period from the Gracchi to Nero (133 BC-AD 68), the most important, most discussed and best documented era.  There will be a combination of lectures and seminar discussions.  For the latter, students may from time to time be required to give brief presentations based on the reading assignments.  We will consider a political/military narrative framework, selected issues of social and cultural history, and problems in the historiography of ancient Rome. Students should have a working knowledge of Latin and/or Greek, since the ancient sources will need to be consulted in the original; an acquaintance with German, and/or French, and/or Italian would also be of help, since important work on the period has been undertaken in these languages.  There will be either a term-paper (20-25 typed pages long), on a topic agreed upon the student and instructor; or the student may instead take the Roman History Examination required of Ph.D. students in Classics and Classical Archaeology, for which this course is designed as preparation.

Cicero was the greatest lawyer of the Roman Republic. He aimed to be the embodiment of the social and political establishment. Catullus, his younger contemporary, preferred to play the artistic rebel. He was the first great Roman writer of lyric poetry and epigram. Nearly the only thing they shared was a deeply snarky sense of humor. We will read both to get their different perspectives on Rome's empire. What was it good for? What did it cost? What effect did it have on the subjects? Did their opinions count? The first object of the course will be to improve reading ability, but we will also devote considerable attention to the kinds of questions just raised and the rhetorical and poetic tactics they bring into play. Readings: Cicero, pro Lege Manilia Catullus, Carmina [selections]

 

 

This course provides an introductory-level survey of the history of Rome from its origins in the Iron Age (c. 800 BC) to its sack by the Gothic general Alaric in August 410 AD. In general, individual lectures will closely follow the narrative of the course textbook and will trace out a chronology of important events, with some attention to the broader significance of these events.  Lectures will also explore such aspects of Roman culture as religion, the theater, slavery, gladiatorial games, and the relationship between the Roman state and the Christian church.  These textbook-based lectures will be pre-recorded and available online.  Students will be expected to listen to them prior to class.  Class time will be devoted to the presentation and careful analysis of famous “case studies” from Roman history (e.g. Aeneas’ departure from Carthage; the suicide of Lucretia; the assassination of Julius Caesar).  As a group, we will look carefully at our evidence for these events in substantial detail in order to better understand the ethical complexities at work.  Fridays will be reserved for the review of the at-home readings and lecture-viewings.  Exam weeks will likewise be devoted to review and preparation for the exams.

This course carries the Global Cultures and Ethics & Leadership flags.

.