107-101 Ancient Literature and Society

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject examines the relationship between ancient poetry and socio-political power and ideology. During the course of the subject students should become familiar 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. Students will discuss the role of poetry in the formation, consolidation and contestation of political ideology. A comparison will be made with the circulation of ideology through other media (art, architecture, law). Students should develop a knowledge of 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

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

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.

• Homer, Lattimore (trans), The Odyssey. Harper-Collins.