How can we make meaning for our own culture from someone else’s legendary past? This class will explore the Roman engagement with the Greek mythological tradition through focused readings of Latin poetry. Students will develop an appreciation for the distinctive language of Latin poetry, with a strong focus on literary devices and poetic meter. In addition, we will explore the broader cultural significance of these stories for the Roman public, not only in the context of Roman imperialism, but also with an understanding of the Hellenic cultural hegemony that predated, substantially overlapped with, and in some ways outlasted Roman dominance in the Mediterranean.

May be repeated for credit