LATN 3013 / Spring 2010
The Death of Julius Caesar by Vincenzo Camuccini
Instructor: Dr. Charles E. Muntz
Time: MWF 9:30-10:20
Place : 423 Old Main
Dr. Muntz's Office: 407 Old Main
Office Hours: Tu 10:30-11:30 am, W 1:30-2:30 pm
Phone: (479) 575-5891
Email: cmuntz@uark.edu
This class will examine one of the most critical periods in ancient history through the eyes of its most famous participant, Julius Caesar. Caesar, besides being a great general and a great politician, was also a skilled writer, and a master of presenting himself and his actions in a favorable light with his works. We will be reading excerpts from Caesar’s De Bello Civili (The Civil War), supplemented with extracts from the writings of another leading Roman statesman, Cicero. By reading these works, we will get a better understanding of Caesar’s motivation, his skill as a writer and propagandist, his military strategy, and the man himself.
Workload
Exams: There will be three 50 minute in-class exams, and a two hour comprehensive final exam on May 1, 10 am - 12 noon, in the regular classroom. Exams will focus on translation, vocabulary, and grammar. The final exam will include a sight-translation passage as well.
Final Project: Each student will give a 25 minute presentation a final project on some aspect of Caesar and the late Roman Republic, subject to my prior approval. The form of these presentations are up to the student, so let your imaginations run wild!
Grade Breakdown:
Exam 1: 15%
Exam 2: 15%
Exam 3: 15%
Final Exam: 40%
Final Project: 15%
Reading Materials
Required Texts:
Carter, John, trans. Caesar: The Civil War. Oxford UP, ISBN 9780199540624
Kennedy, E. C. Caesar: De Bello Civili III. Bristol Classical Press, ISBN 185399636X
Downloadable Texts prepared by Dr. Muntz:
Caesar: De Bello Civili I.1-33 Text
Caesar: De Bello Civili I.1-33 Commentary
Cicero: Selected Letters Text
Cicero: Selected Letters Commentary
Books on reserve:
Gelzer, Matthias. Caesar: Politician and Statesman.
Goldsworthy, Adrian. Caesar: Life of a Colossus
Allen and Greenough’s New Latin Grammar (also available online)
Policies
Equal Access: University of Arkansas Academic Policy Series 1520.10 requires that students with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact me privately at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through the Center for Educational Access (contact 479-575-3104 or visit http://cea.uark.edu for more information on registration procedures).
Inclement Weather: If the University stops running the Razorback Bus System because of snow or bad weather, there will be no class. Otherwise, class is on!
Miscellaneous: Please turn off and put away all cell phones and finish any food you might be eating before coming into class. Drinks are acceptable.
Daily Assignments
Part 1: The Outbreak of Civil War
Week 1
January 11 - Introduction
January 13 - Cicero, Ad Fam. 8.14/97.2-3
January 15 - BC 1.1-2
Week 2
January 18 - MLK Day, no class
January 20 - BC 1.2-3
January 22 - BC 1.4-5
Week 3
January 25 - 1.5-6
January 27 - BC 1.6-7
January 29 - Ice and snow - no class!
Week 4
February 1 - Cicero Ad Fam 16.11/143
February 3 - BC 1.8-9
February 5 - BC 1.10-11
Week 5
February 8 - BC 1.12-13
February 10 - BC 1.14.15 start
February 12 - Exam 1
Week 6
February 15 - Cicero, Ad Att. 7.10/133, 7.11/134
February 17 - Rest of 7.11, BC 1.15
February 19 - BC 1.16-18
Week 7
February 22 - BC 1.19-20
February 24 - BC 1.21-22
February 26 - BC 1.23-24
Week 8
March 1 - Cicero, Ad Att 7.20, 7.22
March 3 - BC 1.25-26
March 5 - BC 1.27-29
Week 9
March 8 - BC 1.30-31
March 10 - BC 1.32-33
March 12 - Cicero, Ad Fam. 8.15/149, Ad Att. 9.6a/172a, Ad Att. 10.8b/199b
Part 2: The Final Confrontation
Week 10
March 15 - Exam 2
March 17 - BC 3.73-74
March 19 - BC 3.75-77
Spring Break!
Week 11
March 29 - BC 3.78-79
March 31 - BC 3.80-81
April 2 - BC 3.82-83
Week 12
April 5 - BC 3.84-85
April 7 - BC 3.86-87
April 9 - BC 3.88-90
Week 13
April 12 - BC 3.91-92
April 14 - BC 3.93-94
April 16 - BC 3.95-96
Week 14
April 19 - BC 3.97-99
April 21 - BC 3.102-103
April 23 - BC 3.104
Week 15
April 26 - Final Projects
April 28 - Review