Crassus, Pompey, and Their Contemporaries (Blog for Tuesday, 10/3)

Please read Plutarch's account of one of the many "ambitious young men" who lived during what is sometimes called the Age of Cicero. Pick out a key line that shows how this man's work might have tended to support or destroy republican government in Rome. Explain why you chose this particular line.

You can use one of these abridged biographies of Crassus, Cicero, Pompey, Sertorius, Cato the Younger, or Lucullus. If you prefer the complete text, go to the links in the right hand column here (scroll down a bit).

Still more Plautus!

Please read The Pot of Gold, Pseudolus, or The Brothers Menaechmus 

Cite here some lines/passages that would be particularly good for showing what the play you read says about Roman values, family relationships, romantic relationships, day-to-day life, religion, etc.

More Plautus (The Prisoners)

For Thursday, September 21, please read Plautus' The Prisoners (Captivi). Cite a line from this play that shows something about Roman society or Roman history one might not learn from a more conventional historical source, e.g., something about day-to-day life in Rome, something about Roman values, or something about the Roman sense of humor. Explain why you chose this particular line. Alternatively, note something Plautus has done with one of the five "narrative essentials" (plot, character, theme, setting, and tone) that shows something important about Roman history.

Marius and Sulla

Marius and Sulla were both in some ways a great Roman heroes. However, each also contributed to bringing disaster on Rome.

Please read Plutarch's Life of Marius, either in the abridged version here or the unabridged version here. Then read Plutarch's Life of Sulla, either in the abridged version here or the unabridged version here.

Cite an example that helps build the case that one of these men was a great hero for Rome *or* cite an example that shows how one of these men brought disaster to Rome.

The war with Jugurtha

Please read the Introduction to Sallust's War with Jugurtha. Pick out what you consider to be the most important/most interesting line from this selection. If other students have chosen a different line, explain why *your* line is even more important or more interesting.

As an alternative, pick out the line from Sallust you consider the worst, or the least interesting. If other students have chosen a different line, explain why your line is even worse or less interesting.