Latin Prose: Philosophical Prose

The main subjet-matter of this course is Latin prose and specifically the philosophical treatises of Cicero and Seneca. Α. Introduction: During the introductory lectures of the course, emphasis is given to the spread of Greek philosophy in Rome, the most influential philosophical movements, schools and philosophers, the first philosophical writings and the De Rerum Natura of Lucretius, Cicero’s and Seneca’s philosophical inclinations and works and the philosophical authors after Seneca. Β. Study of representative passages from the philosophical treatises of Cicero and Seneca: The framework of this course includes a close examination of some selected passages from the philosophical treatises of Cicero (i.e. De Amicitia 1-5, 13-14, 20, 22-24, 33-34, 44, 62, 79-80, 88, De Senectute 77-81, De Natura Deorum 1-4, 6-9, 61-64 and De Divinatione ΙΙ 4-5) and those of Seneca (i.e. De Providentia Ι 1, 5-6, De beata vita ΙΙΙ 3 and De brevitate vitae Ι 3-4 and VΙΙ 3-4). The respective passages are studied from the aspect of language and also with reference to their Greek philosophical influences and the viewpoint from which the main philosophical questions are each time developed in connection with the Roman notions.

Objectives

- The overall aim of this course is the study of Latin prose and Cicero’s and Seneca’s philosophical work in particular, through the close examination of selected passages from both authors’ philosophical treatises. - By the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired satisfactory knowledge of classical Latin as well as to understand and read the philosophical questions and notions that are developed in the respective passages within their overall philosophical and historical context.

Prerequisites

No specific requirements needed.

Syllabus

Α. Introduction: During the introductory lectures of the course, emphasis is given to the spread of Greek philosophy in Rome, the most influential philosophical movements, schools and philosophers, the first philosophical writings and the De Rerum Natura of Lucretius, Cicero’s and Seneca’s philosophical inclinations and works and the philosophical authors after Seneca. Β. Study of representative passages from the philosophical treatises of Cicero and Seneca: The framework of this course includes a close examination of some selected passages from the philosophical treatises of Cicero (i.e. De Amicitia 1-5, 13-14, 20, 22-24, 33-34, 44, 62, 79-80, 88, De Senectute 77-81, De Natura Deorum 1-4, 6-9, 61-64 and De Divinatione ΙΙ 4-5) and those of Seneca (i.e. De Providentia Ι 1, 5-6, De beata vita ΙΙΙ 3 and De brevitate vitae Ι 3-4 and VΙΙ 3-4). The respective passages are studied from the aspect of language and also with reference to their Greek philosophical influences and the viewpoint from which the main philosophical questions are each time developed in connection with the Roman notions.