4 December 2024

At our last meeting, by coincidence, there were a few instances where students needed to leave the class in the middle of the lecture. Of course, I know that this kind of need arises on occasion and for innocent and urgent reasons.

Even so, I would like to request for our remaining class meetings that if you know you are going to need to leave class early or arrive late because of another commitment, please let me know ahead of time so that I can know to expect it.

Class attendance is a part of this course, not just because attendance is graded but because the class meetings are where we make sense of the raw information in the readings and make the connections that will be of great importance on the exam and in your overall perception of the ancient world.

For this reason, and out of courtesy to the rest of your fellow students, and, yes, to me, I respectfully ask that we all please make every effort to attend these critical last meetings; to arrive in class when it begins at three; and, barring personal emergencies, to remain with the meeting until it ends at 4:15.

I ask this knowing that there are many circumstances that impact on our lives and interactions with each other, but as 26 men and women sharing a joint purpose I believe we can make this work. Thank you for your consideration.

Link to Expectations page

30 November 2024

This week we’re talking about a series of massive turning points for the Roman Republic: the very different dictatorships of Sulla and Caesar, and the final collapse of the Republic, to be replaced by the one-man rule of Augustus.

Things to ponder as you explore the materials. What do you think Sulla was most interested in accomplishing? What is his legacy? What do we think of Pompey?

What was Caesar’s goal, for himself and for Rome, and why was he killed? All things considered, does he deserve praise as a great leader or censure as an ambitious seeker of power? What about Antony—he was the experienced lieutenant of Caesar, so why did he lose out to a kid who started with nothing but Caesar’s name?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and reactions. See you Tuesday!

Link to Schedule page

23 November 2024

This week, after we discuss Roman contest with Carthage, we see the culmination of the Roman empire as it gains control over the west and east—only to fall apart at home in a series of assassinations, scandals, and civil wars.

Things to ponder as you explore the materials. Two factions emerge in the Roman aristocracy as we head into the Late Republic: the optimates—those who believe in tradition and the systems of the Republic; and the populares—those who insist Rome must take a new direction to survive. Why does this break occur? What do the two sides really stand for? Are populist firebrands like Tiberius Gracchus heroes of the people, or self-serving demagogues?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and reactions. See you Tuesday!

Link to Schedule page

17 November 2024

This week we’re talking about the Romans replacing the kings with a Republic.

Things to ponder as you explore the materials. What stands out to you as the defining characteristics of the Republic? What does this idea mean to the Romans? The early history of the Republic involves an ongoing conflict between the patricians (families that control the priesthoods) and the plebeians (all other families of any class). Where does this conflict come from? Why are the priest-families so important to the Roman political system?

This week we’re talking about how and why the Romans shift toward military expansionism, and some of the repercussions that follow. Why do the Romans become militaristic and expansionist?

How do you think they see their rivalry with Carthage? Why do you think Hannibal is able to almost win—and why does he ultimately lose? Why does Rome seem to have such an off-hand approach to governing the territories it consumes or conquers?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and reactions. See you Tuesday!

Link to Schedule page

9 November 2024

This week, after we discuss Alexander and the Hellenistic East, we’re looking at ancient North Africa and Italy, and then we’re starting our exploration of the Romans and their story. This is the beginning of the rise of the people that within a few centuries would dominate the entire Mediterranean, including most of the peoples we’ve studied.

Things to ponder as you explore the materials. At first Rome starts out as a city-state within the city-state culture of Latium with its own priest-king, just like the city-states in Sumer. But the Romans get fed up with the kings after a while and eject them from Rome. What do you think makes them turn against the kings? Is it just the actions of the kings, or does it go deeper? Why do you think the legends about the fall of the kings focus so much on the Rape of Lucretia as the thing that turns the Romans against the kings? What does the story of that rape signify to them?

Remember, also, to come to class on Tuesday with questions about Clouds. Why does this story end the way that it does? What is this play fundamentally about?

Looking forward to your discussions and reactions. See you Tuesday!

Link to Schedule page

2 November 2024

Here are a few reminders on the Clouds essay, which is due on Monday, November 18.

The starting point I’d like you to bear in mind in that this essay is about making an argument and supporting that argument with evidence—in this case, three specific moments from Clouds that demonstrate and illustrate your argument concerning what Clouds tells us about fifth-century Athens.

Comparing two works. For this essay you need to compare Clouds to another ancient Greek work. Which one depends on which prompt you are answering—make sure to watch the Clouds essay Overview Video for my discussion of this aspect of the assignment. The essay overview video is very important. Watch the essay Overview Video, is what I’m saying. I would also suggest that you watch the Overview Video.

This also means that you need to carve out time to read through and consider the other work as well as a separate chunk of time to plan and write the essay.

The goal for this essay to make an argument about fifth-century Athens using just these two pieces of primary source evidence. You don’t need anything else but the two primary sources.

Structure. In your introduction, make sure you have a clear thesis statement—what you intend to show in the paper. Try to develop a concrete, specific thesis statement that lines up with and responds directly to one of the prompts.

In the main body of your essay, focus on three specific moments from Clouds that support your thesis. You should have three sections, one for each moment in Clouds you’re discussing. In each section, talk about the moment from Clouds, then a similar or contrasting moment in your other work, then discuss what this evidence tells us. When discussing both works, be specific and concrete.

I talk about the structure in the Overview Video, and especially in the Structure Musts video (on the Essay Musts page).

Evidence and cites. A major rule of thumb for writing about history (and for academic work in general, but especially history) is that all assertions must be supported by evidence, and all evidence must be cited. When you describe events from Clouds and the other work (whether it’s in quotes, a paraphrase, or just describing specific ideas present in the story), you need to provide a citation—a footnote or parenthetical cite that gives your source (the book version of Clouds and the other work you are using) plus a page number. You also need a bibliography listing the versions used of both works. For more on this, see the Evidence Musts video on the Essay musts page, and the bibliography and footnotes pages in the Citation Center on the course website.

Requirements for all papers. Make sure to fully review the requirements for all papers (on the Essay Musts page of the course website) before completing and uploading your essay. Also review the prompt for the Essay you’ve chosen to make sure you answered what it’s looking for.

Any questions at all, please come to me. I’m really looking forward to hearing your insights on Clouds and what it has to tell us about fifth-century Athens.

Link to Clouds Essay page