Examination of six epic poems (in translation)
from Classical antiquity: Homer's Iliad and
Odyssey, Apollonius's Argonautica,
Virgil's Aeneid, Lucan's Civil War,
and Statius's Thebaid. Focus on the
traditional themes of the epic genre, including
the nature of heroism, the relationship between
mortals and gods, issues of peace and war, and the
conflict of individual and communal goals; how
ancient authors adapted epic conventions to suit
their own artistic goals; how these epics
reflected the values and history of contemporary
Greco-Roman civilization; and their influence in
antiquity and beyond.
from Classical antiquity: Homer's Iliad and
Odyssey, Apollonius's Argonautica,
Virgil's Aeneid, Lucan's Civil War,
and Statius's Thebaid. Focus on the
traditional themes of the epic genre, including
the nature of heroism, the relationship between
mortals and gods, issues of peace and war, and the
conflict of individual and communal goals; how
ancient authors adapted epic conventions to suit
their own artistic goals; how these epics
reflected the values and history of contemporary
Greco-Roman civilization; and their influence in
antiquity and beyond.
- Teacher: Gordon Kelly