Classics 115 Fall, 2015
C. Walker () MW 2-3.30
X2190/617-628-8964 Mandel 215
Hours: MW 1-2; Th 11-2; by appointment
Preliminary Reading Schedule
Because this course will be both a broad survey around a major political theme and fulfill part of the writing –intensive requirement, the written work will need to reflect both an ability to construct arguments and the broad factual knowledge to support them. Students are expected to prepare the readings in advance, then come to class to ask (and answer) questions, consider connections, and develop ideas that arise from the material. Discussion will focus on the primary material, with the secondary text providing context and background.
August 31 Introduction
September 2 Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero, chapter 1
Focus: Roman social ties and family; political institutions
September 9 Scullard, chapter 2
Plutarch, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
Ungraded Exercise 1 due
September 10 Scullard, chapter 3
Sallust, Jugurthine War
September 16 Ungraded Exercise 2 due
Focus: the problems leading to the Social and Civil Wars
September 21 Scullard, chapter 4
Focus: Marius and Sulla
September 29 Scullard, chapter 5
Plutarch, Sertorius
September 30 Cicero, Pro Manilia Lege (On the Manilian Law)
Ungraded Exercise 3 due
Focus: the post-Sullan empire; its problems and personnel
October 7 Scullard, chapter 6
Sallust, Catilinarian Conspiracy
Focus: Overview
October 12 Midterm
October 14 Scullard, chapter 7, 1-4
Caesar, Gallic War 1/5/7
Focus: Conquest and expansion
October 19 Scullard, chapter 7 (finish)
Cicero, Letters (on LATTE)
Paper 1 due
Focus: Domestic troubles, 60-44 BCE
October 21 Scullard, chapter 8
Plutarch, Antony
Focus: Redistribution of authority/power
October 26 Scullard, chapters 9-10
Focus: Is oligarchy to monarchy a step forward or back?
October 28 Scullard, chapter 11
Vergil, Aeneid 6, 8 (selections on LATTE)
Livy 1, 4 (selections on LATTE)
Focus: the early principate looks at itself
November 2-4 Scullard, chapter 12
Suetonius, Augustus
Tacitus, Annales 1.1-10
Focus: the later principate looks back
November 9 Scullard, chapter 13, 1-6
Paper 2 due
Focus: the principate as institution, not personal style
November 11 Tacitus, Annales 1 (finish)
Focus: evaluating Tiberius et alii
November 16 Scullard, chapter 13, 7-8
Suetonius, Caligula
November 18 Scullard, chapter 14, 1-6
Suetonius, Claudius
Focus: evaluating the sources
November 23 Scullard, chapter 14, 7-12
Suetonius, Nero
November 30 Josephus, Jewish War (=Penguin chapters 8-12)
Focus: sources and historical values
December 2 Focus: Josephus as case study
Paper 3 due
December 7 Scullard, chapters 15-16
December 9 Conclusion
December 15 Final Exam (1.30 p.m.)
Assignments will be weighed as follows:
Papers 1-3 20% each =60%
Midterm 10% =10%
Final 10% =10%
Class Work 20% =20%
Ungraded assignments will be part of “class work,” and at least one revision will be required of papers which receive less than an A. Any work which is not completed may be grounds for failing the course.
Texts should be available on line, on reserve, and for purchase at the bookstore; if you have any difficulty acquiring a text, you should notify me immediately. You will receive specific assignment sheets for the written work, and I expect students with questions and concerns to inform me as quickly as possible about any lack of clarity or problem about execution.
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me immediately.
Success in this 4 credit hour course is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum of 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class (readings, papers, discussion sections, preparation for exams, etc.).