Primary Texts for History Assignment

Many apologies for not posting these sooner.
I do expect you to work through at least one primary text for the subject of your history essays.
Some of these (e.g. Cicero, Caesar) are quite lengthy, so plan accordingly.
Remember to use the knowledge you've gained through research when approaching these documents:
TRY to read the whole thing, but search out and pay most attention to the critical moments of these individuals' lives!
Remember that Classical authors tend to bring out the virtues (and vices) of their topics.
Enjoy getting to know these famous men a little better, and happy writing!

• Hannibal - (from Polybius' Histories) *
• Cato the Elder - (from Plutarch's Lives)
• Tiberius Gracchus - (from Plutarch's Lives)
• Gaius Marius - (from Plutarch's Lives)
• Several Documents on Spartacus & Slave Revolts †
• M. Tullius Cicero - (from Plutarch's Lives) ‡
• C. Iulius Caesar - (from Plutarch's Lives)
• C. Iulius Caesar - (from Suetonius' De Vita Caesarum)

* I understand if those who have selected Hannibal do not have the opportunity to include any of the above material in their essays, but please do read the selection.
† It is probably best to cite these simply as a collection; that is, use the information for the website as a whole (unless you only use a single document from this page)
‡ You may wish to browse through documents written by Cicero himself, such as his letters and orations. A selection of these are available here.

Reading Assignments: Third Quarter

Please begin reading the first 2 books of Livy's (Titus Livius) The Early History of Rome. Feel free to read a bound version of this text, but an online version is available here. There are separate links for book 1 and book 2, as well as for each individual section of the work.

At this time, I'd like to remind you of the Parent/Student handbook's policy regarding computer use: " The use of the printer is limited to emergency use and should not be the first resource in printing work." I would like the reading done for your Classical Literature class on Monday/Tuesday February 11th/12th. Plan accordingly and begin reading now! This is your assignment for BOTH of my classes. Enjoy Livy's stories about ancient Rome--there's something for everyone!

Also, please be aware that I hope to link to some online materials in the near future. If you've found anything interesting online about Rome, please do not hesitate to share with the class and with me!

Assignments: Second Quarter

GREECE

Remember that the last of the history essays will be due Wednesday/Thursday (12/13 December). This week, I'd like you to look at this simple animation of Alexander's conquests. Keep open a map as you watch (there is one in your planner on p. 221 I believe) and seen what modern-day countries correspond to the boundaries of Alexander's territories. I will also have a worksheet due later this week that will help you prepare for the final examination, so keep an eye out for this. Good luck and enjoy your work!!
(For those who are curious about Alexander the Great, Plutarch's biography is quite good. The only full-text version I have found online is available here.

For Monday/Tuesday (10/11 December)--note the due date!--, please read Thucydides' narrative of the last years of the Peloponnesian War. I believe that this is the best source to turn to for the text. Please read Chapter XXVI from Book VIII. If you have time, all of Book VIII is a good read, but I know there are many other things in the works this time of year.

For Monday/Tuesday (26/27 November), remember to review your notes, readings, and other materials in preparation for the test. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

For Monday/Tuesday (19/20 November), read the packet handed out in class on Greek pottery. Remember to bring all of your handouts to class! It might be a good idea to begin work on your writing assignments.

For Wednesday/Thursday (14/15 November), complete the homework assignment sheet provided in class; no new reading assignments.

For Monday/Tuesday (12/13 November), read the packet handed out in class on Greek architecture (the Acropolis). From a selection of Aristotle's Poetics, read ONLY the material regarding tragedy in general. That is, begin at "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action" and end just BEFORE the heading "Aristotle praises Homer for the unity of his plots." Please notice these important facts pulled from elsewhere in the document: 1. "Tragedy- as also Comedy- was at first mere improvisation" and 2. "Aeschylus first introduced a second actor." I.E. What you are reading for literature class is a PLAY, and its author was the inventor of DIALOGUE (2 characters of a play speaking directly to one other).

For Wednesday/Thursday (7/8 November) read Pausanias' description of the city of Corinth from [2.1.1] (begins "The Corinthian land is a portion") to [2.4.1] (begins "This is the account that I read"). Focus on the wealth and splendor of the city, and feel free to skim over the parts describing Roman activities in Corinth (Pausanias wrote this account in about 150 AD; that's approximately 750 years of events AFTER our examination of this interesting polis! Please also notice that Pausanias' writing style is very similar to that of Herodotus; this is not an accidental parallel! As with Literature class, this may be an opportunity to "catch up on" or review previous reading assignments; please do so!

For Monday/Tuesday (5/6 November) read the following documents regarding the founding, history, and democracy of Athens. Various Greek authors express their opinions on The Origins of Athens, and there is an un-attributed document on The Polity of the Athenians. Please also read Aristotle's beliefs on the polis and democracy, as expressed in The Politics.

For Wednesday/Thursday (31 October/1 November) read the following documents regarding the founding and history of the city-state of Sparta. From Xenophon: The Polity of the Spartans, the Spartan War Machine, and several quotations on Lycurgus. The following reading from Herodotus' The History will also be useful, as will Aristotle's writings on the Spartan Constitution.

For Monday/Tuesday (29/30 October) please read the following excerpt from Herodotus' The History regarding the colonization and foundation of Cyrene. You must also read these descriptions of the Pan-Hellenic Games, which began in 776 B.C. Examine the following pictures of hoplites and triremes, so you have some idea of the forms of combat in ancient Greece.

For Wednesday/Thursday (24/25 October), please read the handout I provided in class: Edith Hamilton's The Greek Way pages 22-34. Also read the following excerpt from Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War regarding the Early History of the Hellenes. Please also take this opportunity to explore the Minoan palace, and the written languages of the ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans: Linear A and Linear B.

Reading Assignments First Quarter

Reading assignments for the first quarter (Fall 2007) do not currently require online resources.
The instructor will inform all students of any changes to this status.
Posts regarding assignments for later quarters will be made at an appropriate time.
Thank you.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam