This course will investigate Greek and Roman conceptions of selfhood and cultural identity through portrayals of the hero in classical poetry. In particular, it will concentrate on the constructions of epic and tragic heroes in both cultures, and the ways in which they affirm individuality and react to or against the expression of a collective cultural identity. Why did the ancient world need literary heroes? What dangers were inherent in the creation of such heroes in a democratic environment? How might portrayals of heroes affirm or deny a sense of civic responsibility? And how did the Greek tradition of the poet-hero find expression in the later Roman world, particularly by the Augustan love poets? This course will combine both traditional methods of inquiry and more modern approaches to literary studies.

At the end of the semester students will have encountered and considered a wide range of Greek and Roman literature. They will have evaluated this literature in terms of traditional and modern modern theoretical approaches.

Skills in close reading, clear oral presentation, and effective writing will be emphasized and developed.

Two 1,500 word essays (20% each), tutorial participation and presentation (20%) and three-hour examination (40%).

Two hours of lectures per week for 12 weeks and one tutorial per week for 12 weeks

12 units of Bachelor of Arts courses

Aeschylus, Oresteia, (tr Lattimore); Ovid, Metamorphoses, (tr Humphries); Livy, The Early History of Rome, (tr De Selincourt ); and a brick (which includes Hesiod, Homeric Hymns, Euripides)