LATN 026. Myth and Morality in Catullus

Catullus 64 is his famous mini epic ("epyllion"). It is framed as the story of Peleus and Thetis, but it also contains the story of Ariadne and Theseus, and also offers critique of the moral degradation of Rome. For many critics this is one of the greatest poems in Latin, and it was one of the most important influences on Vergil. The concentrated nature of the J-term will allow us to read the poem in depth, combining oral performance, careful translation, and secondary criticism with extended online discussion in large or small groups. We will spend about one week on some of the shorter poems of Catullus, to review or introduce some of the most important ones. The course is appropriate for advanced Latin students, but also at the intermediate level, i.e., those with at least one semester of college or four years of Latin in high school; it will include grammar review and vocabulary acquisition.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Catalog chapter: Classics
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/classics

Access the class schedule to search for sections.

Close Window