Cicero and his Correspondents (P02140)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-HCL-CAHC

The aim of this course will be to investigate the letters of Cicero and his correspondents. These letters consist of sixteen books of letters to Atticus (426 letters, from 68 to 44 BC), sixteen books of letters to and from Cicero's family and friends (435 letters, from 62 to 43 BC), three books of letters to his brother Quintus (27 letters, 60-54 BC), and two books of letters to and from Brutus (24 letters, 43 BC). The second of these collections, Ad Familiares, contains correspondence with such luminaries as Pompey and Caesar, Brutus and Cassius, Cato, Caelius, Varro, and Mark Antony. The seminars will explore this material in a range of aspects: Cicero's relations with his family and with particular individuals, prominent or obscure; the conventions of social interaction; the public or private nature of the letters; their stylistic registers; the literary style, sophistication and attitudes of Cicero's correspondents; and the use and function of prose rhythm in the letters. Students will be expected to research prescribed topics and present them in the seminars.

? Keywords : Cicero

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Normally Latin to Honours degree level is required, or equivalent experience at the discretion of the course organiser.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : In order for a student from outwith Classics to be enrolled, contact must be made with a Course Secretary on 50 3580 in order for approval to be obtained.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of History and Classics), (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will have extended their knowledge and understanding of (1) the history and personalities of the Ciceronian period; (2) the letters of Cicero and his correspondents; and normally (3) Latin language and style. They will also have undertaken a clearly defined research project on a body of material on which there is still ample scope for original research, and at a level appropriate to students in their first year of postgraduate study.