Syllabus
Course Description: This course will concentrate on Tacitus’s Annals, a masterpiece of stylistic innovation combining the pointed wit of his imperial predecessors with the the lofty poetry of Vergil and Horace. Though some time will be spent gaining a basic understanding of his political and culturual milieu, most attention will be given to interpreting Tacitus’ complex and highly crafted narrative with particular attention to his prose style. We will end with an effort to synthesize Tacitus’ efforts into the overall development of Roman historical writing.
Course Requirements: Above all else, students will be required to study the assigned texts carefully and prepare thoughtful reactions to them, whether in the form of developed questions or tentative insights. Informal reports will be given every class period on subjects such as: specific words and their idiomatic and cultural importance; certain confined structures in the language ranging from meter to prose rhythms to syntactical grammar; historical context; historical theory; and literary insight. Each student will write a short report (2-3 pages) on one of Tacitus’s most interesting words, discussing how various other Latin authors use the word and how Tacitus himself uses the word throughout his works. Each student will attempt an artistic translation of a short passage (10 to 20) lines from the reading in the Annals including with the translation a short essay describing the difficulties confronted and solutions reached in the attempt. In addition each student will compose a short episode of modern history in the style of one of Tacitus. Finally, in order to focus our various thoughts and discoveries from the whole semester’s reading and discussion upon Tacitus’ work, we will interrupt and conclude the course with a short essay midterm and final commenting on important Latin passages from our class reading.
Grading:
Class Participation 20%
Artistic Translation 10% Due 2-27
Midterm Exam 20% 2-13
Formal Word Study 10% Due 1-23
Stylistic Composition 20% Draft Due 4-8, Due 4-17
Final Exam 20% 4-22 (2:00 PM)
Texts:
Tacitus Annals Book 1 (available in Bookstore)
Xeroxes (available from Professor)