Assignment for Monday, 02-09-15

Dear Roman Readers,

For Monday, February 9, please do the following:

(1) Download, print, and read the factsheet on the poet Ovid.

(2) Download, print, and read the selections from the Art of Love (book 1), the poem that got Ovid in trouble with Augustus.

(3) Download, print, and read the selections from Sorrows, one of Ovid's two collections of poetry written in his permanent exile from Rome.

Ovid is an Augustan poet to the extreme, writing in an age when the pax Augusta had already taken hold. We'll consider how his poetry represents ideals of that peace, and how he situates himself within his own city imaginary.

DC

Assignment for Friday, 02-06-15

Dear Roman Readers,

For Friday, February 6, please do the following:

(1) Visit and read the Discussions page of our website and familiarize yourself with the details and dates. (NOTE: We've moved Team E to Friday, April 10.) Please note any questions and come to class prepared to ask them.

(2) Read the following sections in the Blue Guide:

• Historical Sketch: The Early Empire (pp. 14–15);
• The Ara Pacis (pp. 160–2);
• Piazza Augusto Imperatore (p. 162); and
• The Pantheon (pp. 163–6).

As you might suspect, we're moving into the age of the first emperor, Augustus, and beyond. We'll start with a bit of history, especially the transition from the Republic to the Empire, then move on to Augustus and his impressive building program.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Dates for the Discussions exercise are on the course Calendar. Also, Prof. Spinner has graciously made room in Unit 2 to make up for the snowpocalypse of Monday, for which I am grateful. This means that Unit 2 now starts a day later, on Feb. 20.

We hope to see you for Gladiator tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.

DC