Classics

Pre-requisites for enrolment

None.

Content of Course

1. Introduction to Classics: the ancient world and its importance.

2. Ovid: The Metamorphoses – selected stories.

3. Sophocles: Oedipus the King.

4. Aristotle: The Poetics.

5. Herodotus and the beginnings of History.

6. Herodotus: The Histories Book VII.

7. Virgil: The Aeneid Books I and II.

8. Virgil: The Aeneid Book IV.

9. Suetonius: The Caesars.

10. The reliability of Suetonius’ account of the reign of Caligula.

Teaching method(s)

Lecture and class discussion.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the set texts, their genres, and the periods in which they were written;

• Use appropriate critical techniques and vocabulary;

• Continue their study of ancient literature and history independently, using knowledge and skills gained in the course.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Ovid, 2004. The Metamorphoses. Translated by D. Raeburn. London: Penguin.

• Sophocles, 1984. Oedipus the King. In The Three Theban Plays. Translated by R. Fagles. London: Penguin.

• Herodotus, 1954. The Histories. Translated by A de Sélincourt. London: Penguin.

• Virgil, 2007. Aeneid. Translated by F. Ahl. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Suetonius, 2011. The Caesars. Translated by D. Hurley. Indianapolis: Hackett

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.