Latin Prose

The course includes: 1. A brief account of the usefulness of Latin studies, the birth and the periods of the Latin literature, with emphasis on antiquity periods of literature. 2. Introduction to the Latin Prose from its beginnings (Twelve Tables, Appius Claudius Caecus, Pontifical Chronicles) up to Cicero. The genesis and the basic features of Latin prose. 3. Introduction to the Roman rhetoric. Parts and kinds of the rhetorical speech. A brief overview of the Roman oratory before Cicero. The conquest of Greek rhetoric and a detailed introduction to the works of Cicero, with an emphasis on the rhetorical theoretical treatises and his speeches. A brief overview of the rhetoric during Augustus and the imperial period. 4. Linguistic (vocabulary, grammar, syntax) and interpretative commentary of selected passages from Cicero’s rhetorical treatise De Oratore (I, 3-5, 9-20 • I, 43-45, 191-194, 195-203 • II, 1- 2, 4-8 • II, 12, 51-52 • II, 15, 62-64 • II, 27, 114-117) and his speech: Pro Tito Annio Milone (1-6, 22-31, 47- 64, 78-83, 92-105).

Objectives

1. To help students familiarize with basic issues, concerning Latin Prose. 2. To help students familiarize with the historical, political and social contexts of Cicero’s era. 3. To help students familiarize with Classical Latin. To help students practice in the grammar, the syntax, the vocabulary as well as the translation of classical Latin prose.

Prerequisites

No specific requirements needed.

Syllabus

1. A brief account of the usefulness of Latin studies. 2. Introduction to the Latin Prose. 3. Introduction to the Roman rhetoric 4. Linguistic (vocabulary, grammar, syntax) and interpretative commentary of selected passages from Cicero’s rhetorical treatise De Oratore.