CLLA 407(F) Caesar and Cicero
The one a brilliant strategist, the other preeminent in the courts, Caesar and Cicero were both master politicians whose ambitions for themselves and for their country brought them into bitter conflict. Their combined oeuvres provide compelling, detailed accounts of the events and personalities that ended the Roman republic and ushered in an era of prolonged civil war. Moreover, despite striking differences, their works can justifiably be claimed to be the twin summits of classical Latin prose. In this course we will read extensive selections from Caesar's commentarii (the Bellum Gallicum and Bellum Civile) and from Cicero's speeches and letters, aiming throughout at a better understanding of these authors' stylistic achievements as well as the pragmatic persuasive goals that drove their rhetoric.
Format: recitation/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, several short written assignments (such as article reviews), a midterm exam and essay of moderate length, plus a final exam and longer paper.
Prerequisites: Latin 302 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit:12 (expected: 6-9).
Hour: WILCOX