As the inheritors of the Greek culture, the Romans built upon this tradition and expanded its influence. Many historians say it was the Roman Roads the spread the Greek Culture, which would be later infused by Christian morality.
The Romans certainly brought their own flair to the culture, but the Greek influence is unmistakable.
As Christianity began to spread, we will see a fascinating conversion of the Roman culture. Rarely in history has an entire culture changed its core religious beliefs, but Christianity will begin as a spark in a dusty outpost, that 300 years later engulfed an empire.
Fall Semester
The Aneid by Virgil (Vergil), Translated by Robert Fitzgerald.
Roman Lives by Plutarch, Translated by Robin Waterfield (Oxford World Classics)
On Obligations (De Officiis) by Cicero, Translated by P.G. Walsh (Oxford World Classics)
Meditations by Marcus Arelius, Translated by Robin Waterfield
Metamorphoses by Ovid, Translated by A.D. Melville
Course Assignments:
Course Assignments: For students receiving credit, three grades will be assigned.
1. Class Participation. (20%) This will be based on how well the student engaged with the material and contributed to the conversation.
2. Book Journal. (20%) Students will journal throughout the semester, recording the Author, Setting, Themes, Main Characters, and Examples of Virtues and Vices.
3. Response Paper. (20%) Students will write two 1-2 page response papers as assigned by the instructor. These papers will address specific themes from the readings, based on class discussions.
3. Term Paper. (40%) Students will turn in a 2-4 page (double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt) paper on one of the following prompts:
- Using the Cardinal Virtues as a framework, compare and contrast the characters of Cato the Elder and Caesar.
- Compare Cicero’s De Officiis with the Philosopher Kings of Plato’s Republic. How closely does Cicero fit into the ideal “guardian” described by Plato?
- What was the purpose of Virgil’s Aneid? Explain some reasons why he may have grounded Roman history in Greek mythology.
The Great Books 