This course considers the nature of the sophistic movement and its impact on
Athens and Athenian authors in the second half of the fifth century B.C.E. We
will devote the first half of the term to developing an understanding of the movement through selected readings, both in Greek and in translation, from the extant
fragments of Protagoras, Gorgias, Antiphon, and other sophistic thinkers; from
those dialogues of Plato (e.g., Protagoras, Symposium, Gorgias) and Xenophon
(e.g., Memorabilia) that focus on the sophists and their relationship to Socrates;
and from Thucydides ("Melian Dialogue") and Euripides (e.g., Hecuba), both
of whom were profoundly influenced by the sophists. During the second half of
the course we will read, in Greek and in its entirety, Aristophanes' Clouds, with a
focus on trying to understand both the play itself and the complex relationship of
its playwright to Socrates and the sophists. We will also read, in translation, one
or two other plays of Aristophanes (e.g., Birds, Frogs).
Format: seminar, with classes devoted primarily to translation and discussion of
the texts we are reading. Evaluation will be based on 75-minute midterm and
final exams consisting primarily of translation of assigned Greek texts, and
above all on participation in class, presentation of oral reports, and a substantial
final paper.
Prerequisites: Greek 202 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 7).