Classics

2009-10

21 Greek Mythology and Religion

A survey of the myths of the gods and heroes of ancient Greece, with a view to their original context in Greek art and literature as well as their place in Greek religion. We will give particular attention to myths that live on in Western art and literature, in order to become familiar with the stories which were part of the repertory of later artists and authors. Three class hours per week.

Omitted 2009-10.  Professor R. Sinos.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2010

23 Greek Civilization

Readings in English of Homer, Sappho, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Herodotus, Thucydides, and Plato to trace the emergence of epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy, history, and philosophy within the context of Greek history. Three class hours per week.

Omitted 2009-10.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2011, Spring 2013, Spring 2015, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

24 Roman Civilization

Roman civilization, in the Roman view, started with war and government, the arts instilled by the city's eponymous founder, Romulus. Second came religion, and a set of cultural values that kept the Romans recognizably Roman over the 12 centuries between founding (traditionally 753 BCE) and collapse (476 CE). The civil wars that punctuate this long history reveal the difficulty of Rome's evolution from an agrarian community to a world empire. This course examines both Rome's fundamental institutions (army, constitution, law, religion, familia) and those that entered in the wake of conquest, meeting either welcome (literature, philosophy, science, new gods) or suspicion (monotheistic religion, magic). Primary readings from major literary works supply the evidence: Caesar, Cicero, Juvenal, Livy, Lucan, Lucretius, Ovid, Polybius, Sallust, Tacitus, Virgil. Three class hours per week.

Omitted 2009-10.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2010, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021

28 Life in Ancient Rome

An introduction to the people of ancient Rome, their daily routines and occupations as well as their place in the developing Roman state. Topics will include religious practices, the Roman army, games, slavery, women’s lives, and Roman law. We will focus on primary sources, including literary as well as archaeological evidence, but will make use of modern representations of ancient Rome for the sake of comparison. Three class hours per week. 

Omitted 2009-10.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2009, Spring 2011

33 History of Rome

This course examines the political and social systems and struggles that marked Rome's growth from a small city-state to a world empire. Through various sources (Roman works in translation and material evidence) we will focus on the development of the republican form of government and its transformation into an empire. We will study also the daily life of the people and the impact of Christianity on the Roman Empire.

Spring semester.  Professor Grillo.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2010, Spring 2012

34 Archaeology of Greece

Excavations in Greece continue to uncover a rich variety of material remains that are altering and improving our understanding of ancient Greek life. By tracing the architecture, sculpture, and other finds from major sanctuaries, habitations, and burial places, this course will explore the ways in which archaeological evidence illuminates economic, political, philosophical, and religious developments in Greece from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic Period. Three class hours per week.

Omitted 2009-10

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2009, Spring 2012, Fall 2014, Spring 2018, Spring 2022

38 Greek Drama

(Offered as Classics 38 and Women and Gender Studies 38.) This course addresses the staging of politics and gender in selected plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes, with attention to performance and the modern use of the plays to reconstruct systems of sexuality, gender, class, and ethnicity. We also consider Homer's Iliad as precursor of tragedy, and the remaking of plays in contemporary film, dance, and theater, including Michael Cacoyannis, The Trojan Women; Rita Dove, The Darker Face of the Earth; Martha Graham, Medea and Night Journey; Pier Paolo Pasolini, Oedipus Rex and Medea; and Igor Stravinsky, Oedipus Rex.

Fall semester. Professor Griffiths.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2009, Spring 2016, Fall 2019

77, 78 Senior Departmental Honors

Spring semester. Members of the Department.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

97, 98 Special Topics

Spring semester. Members of the Department.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2011

Greek

01 Introduction to the Greek Language

(Fall semester)
This course prepares students in one term to read Plato, Greek tragedy, Homer, and other Greek literary, historical, and philosophical texts in the original and also provides sufficient competence to read New Testament Greek. Three class hours per week. This course is normally followed by Greek 12 and then Greek 15 or 17.

Fall semester. Professor Grillo

(Spring semester)
This course prepares students in one term to read Greek tragedy, Plato, Homer, and other Greek literary, historical and philosophical texts in the original and also provides sufficient competence to read New Testament Greek. Three class hours per week. This course is normally followed by Greek 15 or 17 and then Greek 12 or 18.

Spring semester. Professor D. Sinos.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022

12 Greek Prose: Plato's Apology

An introduction to Greek literature through a close reading of the Apology and selected other works of Attic prose of the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Additional readings in translation. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Greek 01 or equivalent. Spring semester. Professor Griffiths.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

15 An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

After a review of forms and grammar, we will read a play with emphasis on poetic diction, dramatic technique and ritual context. Additional readings in translation. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Greek 01 or equivalent. Fall semester. Professor Griffiths.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

17 Reading the New Testament

This course offers an introduction to New Testament Greek. We will read selections from the Gospels and Epistles and will discuss the social and philosophical context as well as the content of the texts. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Greek 01 or equivalent. Fall semester. Professor D. Sinos.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

18 An Introduction to Greek Epic

A reading of selected passages from the Iliad with attention to the poem’s structure and recurrent themes as well as to the society it reflects. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Greek 12, 15, 17 or equivalent or consent of the instructor. Spring semester. Professor D. Sinos.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

41 Advanced Readings in Greek Literature I

The authors read in Greek 41 and 42 vary from year to year, but as a general practice are chosen from a list including Homer, choral and lyric poetry, historians, tragedians, and Plato, depending upon the interests and needs of the students. Greek 41 and 42 may be elected any number of times by a student, providing only that the topic is not the same. In 2009-10 Greek 41 will read Homer's Odyssey. Three class hours per week. Seminar course.

Requisite: A minimum of three courses numbered 01 to 18 or consent of the instructor. Fall semester. Professor D. Sinos.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

42 Advanced Readings in Greek Literature II

See course description for Greek 41. In 2009-10 Greek 42 will read lyric poetry. Three class hours per week. Seminar course.

Requisite: A minimum of three courses numbered 01 to 18 or consent of the instructor. Spring semester. Professor Griffiths.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2010, Spring 2011

77, 78 Senior Departmental Honors

Spring semester. Members of the Department.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

97, 98 Special Topics

Spring semester. Members of the Department.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011

Latin

01 An Introduction to Latin Language and Literature

This course prepares students to read classical Latin. No prior knowledge of Latin is required. Three class hours per week.

Fall semester. Visiting Professor Trinacty.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

02 Intermediate Latin

This course aims at establishing reading proficiency in Latin. Forms and syntax will be reviewed throughout the semester. We will read selections from Seneca’s Epistulae morales and one or two poems from Virgil. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Latin 01, or equivalent. Spring semester. Visiting Professor Trinacty.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

15 Latin Literature: Catullus and the Lyric Spirit

This course will examine Catullus’ poetic technique, as well as his place in the literary history of Rome. Extensive reading of Catullus in Latin, together with other lyric poets of Greece and Rome in English. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Latin 02, or equivalent. Fall semester. Professor Arnold (Mount Holyoke College).

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

16 Latin Literature in the Augustan Age

An introduction to the literature and culture of Augustan Rome through a close reading of Ovid and other authors illustrating the period. Three class hours per week.

Requisite: Latin 02 or 15, or equivalent. Spring semester. Professor Grillo.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

41 Advanced Readings in Latin Literature I

The authors read in Latin 41 and 42 vary from year to year, the selection being made according to the interests and needs of the students. Both 41 and 42 may be repeated for credit, providing only that the topic is not the same. In 2009-10 Latin 41 will read Roman Elegy. Three class hours per week. Seminar course.

Requisite: Latin 15 or 16, or equivalent. Fall semester. Professor Grillo.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021

42 Advanced Readings in Latin Literature II

See course description for Latin 41. In 2009-10 Latin 42 will read Plautus. Three class hours per week. Seminar course.

Requisite: Latin 15, 16, 41, or equivalent.

Spring semester. Lecturer Ryan (Smith College).

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

77, 78 Senior Departmental Honors

Spring semester. Members of the Department.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022

97, 98 Special Topics

Spring semester. Members of the Department.

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011

Related Courses

EUST-21 Readings in the European Tradition I (Course not offered this year.)PHIL-17 Ancient Philosophy (Course not offered this year.)