The Romans: The Historians

Romans: The Historians guides students through the writings of Livy, Tacitus, Sallust, Julius Caesar, Plutarch, Quintilian, and Cicero. Discover the original works that chronicle the early history of Rome from Monarchy, through Republic, to Empire. In this unit you will discover how the Roman philosophy of history shaped the lives and culture of the Roman people, how the Roman historians recognized the signs of cultural decay in their own day, and finally, how the persecution of the Early Church played a critical role in the spread of Christianity throughout the empire.

Course Objectives

1. To become proficient in the conversational approach to learning: close readings, interpretive questions, and Socratic discussions of the texts.
2. To gain a grasp of the literary figures and the historical framework of the time period.
3. To develop lateral thinking skills by analyzing and synthesizing themes and motifs.
4. To cultivate an appetite for learning as a way of life (the life of the mind).
5. To cultivate a desire to pursue the highest things.
6. To be able to think Christianly and write persuasively about perennial human questions.

Texts or Required Materials:

THE HISTORIANS (Roman Roads Reader recommended for this unit)

• Sections from Livy’s Early History of Rome Book 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Sallust’s Jugurthine War Section 1-16, 26-29; Conspiracy of Catiline Section 1-17, 23-31, 36-37, 56-61
• Sections from Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars Book 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
• Sections from Tacitus’ Annals Book 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15
• Plutarch’s Life of Demosthenes, Life of Cicero, Comparison of Demosthenes and Cicero, sections from the Life of Alexander and the Life of Caesar
• Sections from Cicero’s Against Verres, Against Antony, On Duties
• Sections from Suetonius’ Life of Augustus
• Correspondence of Pliny the Younger and Trajan Letter 97, 98
• Sections from Quintilian’s Institutio Oratoria Book 1

Materials for this course will be made available free of charge by the instructor.