Augustus and Julio-Claudians

Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars is one of the most important sources for the early days of the Principate. Suetonius includes all sorts of fascinating biographical details about the men he describes--along with plenty of sometimes unverifiable gossip and rumor.

Please read Suetonius' account of Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula), Claudius, or Nero. Pick a line that illustrates particularly well either the emperor's achievements or the way in which that emperor's life was a personal tragedy, or a tragedy for the people of Rome.  Explain your choice.

We will talk about your line selections in class.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti (extra credit blog)

One of the best ways to understand Augustus Caesar is to to look a the The Res Gestae Divi Augusti, his own summary of his achievements.  

What kinds of things is Augustus proud of?  What particularly impresses you?  What insights do you get into Augustus' personality?  Are there any suggestions of tragedy here?

The 2nd Triumvirate

Please read this abridged edition of Plutarch's Life of Antony. Pick out a line or several lines that seem to you particularly good examples of action, drama, romance, or "game show" in the story of the 2nd Triumvirate.  Explain your choice.  How do these lines show action, drama, romance--or the game show atmosphere?

If you prefer, you can read the abridged edition of Plutarch's Life of Marcus Brutus. Again, you can talk about elements of actions, drama, romance or the "game show" atmosphere of the 2nd Triumvirate.

Caesar the God (extra credit)

Two years after his death, the Roman Senate declared Caesar a god. This gave Roman biographers the unusual task of recounting the life of a man who was, by official proclamation, a divine being. By the time the biographer Suetonius writes his Life of the Deified Julius, the Roman people has worshiped Caesar as a god for more than 150 years. Please read through Divus Julius, and pick out a line that shows especially well why the Roman people might have accepted Caesar as divine or a line that shows that regarding Caesar as a god was more than a little strange. Explain your choice.

Caesar as General and Politician

Please skim through Plutarch's Life of Caesar. Pick out a section that particularly well shows Caesar's ability and his versatility or a section that shows particularly well why Caesar is such a controversial figure. Explain your choice.

Some of you might find particularly interesting the accounts of Caesar's battles, something I don't talk about in class much. Note Sections 15-20, for instance, a summary of Caesar's campaign in Gaul.

How often do you think About Rome (extra credit blog)

You may have come across the recent (well, not that recent anymore)  discussion of how often men think about Rome.  Here's a chance for you to weigh in.  How often do you think about Rome?  Why?

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! (extra credit)

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 25, 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.

The Swaggering Soldier (Miles Gloriosus)

For Tuesday, September 23, please read Plautus' The Swaggering Soldier (Miles Gloriosus), pp. 147-212 in the "Pot of Gold and other Plays" book. 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.