The course focuses on the work of Roman historians, and on the theoretical background to their writing. It combines the study of the canonical Latin historians in translation, with a curriculum of Greek texts. These texts are chosen to illuminate the wider intellectual and social context in which Roman historiography was produced, enabling students to explore the connection between Greek and Roman intellectual culture.

5x1 hour lectures & 15x1hr seminars shared with CLASSIC4045. This is one of the Honours options in Greek and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

CLASSIC4045, The Roman Historical Imagination

None

Essay (2000 words) - 60%

Exam (2 hours) - 40%

This course aims to:

■ Familiarise students with three major Latin Historians (Sallust, Livy, Tacitus)

■ Foster an understanding of the relationship between historical writing and the intellectual culture in which it was produced

■ Introduce students to historiographical theory, both ancient and modern

■ Provide opportunities for the critical examination of ancient historical writing

■ Provide experience in reading theoretical writings in Greek

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate an awareness of the major cultural and literary dynamics of Roman historiography, and its relationship to the Greek world

■ Develop and present their research into an aspect of this area of the discipline in writing, making full use of relevant scholarly resources, and drawing on their knowledge of texts in Greek

■ Show confidence in translating and interpreting passages in Greek that relate to the themes of the course