107-156 Roman Biography

This is an Intermediate Level Latin subject.

A study score of at least 25 in VCE Latin or an approved equivalent. Students enrolled in this subject must have completed or be currently enrolled in 107-157 Intermediate Latin Language A, or have completed two of the following: 107-254 Intermediate Latin A, 107-255 Intermediate Latin B, 107-256 Intermediate Latin C, 107-257 Intermediate Latin D.

This subjects examines Latin biography, focusing on a single 'life' by one of the principal Roman biographers. Roman biography was a prime medium for moral didacticism, allowing authors to emphasise faults or virtues in their subjects which had supposedly universal application. At the same time, the lurid details of some of the recorded lives made biography an entertaining and even titillating genre. Closely aligned to the influential Roman exemplum tradition, the writing of biography appealed to Roman aristocrats from Cornelius Nepos in the late Republic to Tacitus and Suetonius in the Imperial period, and offered them a way of recasting the past while commenting on the present. As it was almost exclusively the lives of Roman men which were recorded, biography was also a means of asserting different models of masculinity just as it allowed scope for different models of heroism and villainy. Students who complete this subject should be familiar with the techniques of Roman biography and be able to identify its predominant themes.

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

• possess effective written communication skills;

• have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

For 1st, 2nd and 3rd year: A 1200 word seminar paper 30% (due during the semester), an assessment text equivalent to 1000 words 25% (due at the end of semester) and a 1800 word essay 45% (due in the examination period). For 4th year: A 2000 word seminar presentation 40% (due during the semester), an assessment text equivalent to 1000 words 20% (due at the end of semester) and a 2000 word essay 40% (due in the examination period).