CLAS 101 Greek and Roman Epic (Not offered 1997-98; to be offered 1998-99)

Throughout classical antiquity epic poetry was regarded as the most important literary genre. Epic poetry took many different forms, enjoyed wide popularity, and exercised great influence over the development of other literary genres. This course will trace the development of heroic narrative epic poetry from the epic of Gilgamesh to Ovid. We will consider the political and social contexts which produced the different sentiments about the role and form of the heroic narrative epic, its relationship to the other other forms of epic poetry, and epic conceptions of action and character. Readings will be drawn from the Gilgamesh epic, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Hesiod's Theogony and Works and Days, the Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius, Vergil's Aeneid, and the Metamorphoses of Ovid. Satisfies one semester of Division I. Requirements: two short essays and a final exam. Preference given to underclassmen and majors in Classics; open to seniors only with permission of the instructor.