In this course, we will learn about some of the most famous women of ancient Rome: Dido, queen of Carthage, who almost kept Aeneas from ever founding the Latin race; Lucretia, whose death brought about the fall of the Roman kings; Clodia Metelli, lover of the poet Catullus, and the most scandalous figure in Cicero’s Rome; and Perpetua, the twenty-two-year-old Christian martyr who was sentenced to face wild beasts in the arena. Students will read accounts in translation of the stories of these and other Roman women — not all of them so well known. In particular, we will explore the relationship between women, education and power. What restrictions did women face in Roman society? To what extent could they exert control over their own lives, or even those of other people?

Course Requirements:

The final grade will consist of: short writing exercises (30%); 8 to 10-page final paper (30%); in-class presentation (20%); class participation and attendance (20%).

Intended Audience:

Freshmen. No prior knowledge of the ancient world is required.

Class Format:

Three seminars per week.