107-413 Roman Mythology

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in classics and archaeology.

This subject undertakes a specialised analysis of the representation of myths connected with the foundation of Rome and the city's most prominent social, religious and political institutions. Through the media of literature, public and domestic art, monuments and even topography, these myths were deployed in a variety of ways and to a variety of purposes, including the construction of ethnic identity (Romanitas), the projection of political propaganda, and the affirmation or contestation of traditional gender roles and social values. Students will examine these issues, focusing on the Augustan city, Greek and Roman literary representations of Rome's early development, and the use of Roman mythology as a technique of 'Romanisation' in the provinces.

A 3000 word seminar paper and two 1000 word essays.

A subject reader will be available.