HS 307 - Peace and War in Ancient Rome

(3.00 cr.)

The Romans are famous for their success in war, building an empire stretching from Damascus to London and Gibraltar to Iraq. Defeats taught them self-sacrifice and the adoption of tactics and weapons from their foes. Constant warfare, both foreign and civil, deeply affected their politics, society, economy, and culture. After repeated victories, they developed a real love for "peace" (defined in a much different way than we conceptualize it) and even worshipped it as a divinity. The sources reviewed in this course come from narrative histories by participants and witnesses, public and private art and architecture, official and personal epitaphs, and love poetry. Monuments to wartime and to peace itself were significant (as they are for us). Topics studied include alliances, puppet rulers, corruption, depiction of defeated foes, "peace through conquest" ideology, and changes for conquerors and conquered. Same course as CL 307 .

Prerequisite: One HS 100-level course.
Restrictions: Closed to students with catalogue year 2022-2023 or beyond.

Sessions Typically Offered: Fall/Spring
Years Typically Offered: Varies

Interdisciplinary Studies: CU/GT/ICL/II/IPJ