107-101 Ancient Poetry and Ideology

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Subject Description

This subject examines the relationship between ancient poetry and socio-political power and ideology. We begin with the lyric poetry of the early Greek polis and move through Pindaric praise poetry, the dramatic poetry of democratic Athens, and the panegyrics produced under the Ptolemaic kings to the Roman poetry of writers such as Virgil, Horace, Propertius and Ovid, written during a period of fundamental political change and unprecedented ideological ferment. In each case the role of poetry in the formation, consolidation and (in some cases) contestation of political ideology is analysed and the self-presentation of the poet's role in society is explored. Comparison will be made with the circulation of ideology through other media (art, architecture, law etc). Key issues which arise include the relationship between poets and the powerful in ancient society; patronage; the nature of ideological formation; the power of poetry; and the possibility of dissent.

Assessment

A essay of 2000 words, and a 2-hour examination, and tutorial participation.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.

• Virgil, Wilkinson (trans), The Georgics. Penguin.