CLSS-240 Julius Caesar: History and Legend

Faculty:

Osgood, Josiah

An introduction to the historical figure of Julius Caesar and the legends surrounding the man, in his own lifetime and beyond. We first examine accounts of his early career, and correct them by close study of how politics worked in the Roman Republic; then look at his time in Gaul and the civil war that followed, both of which he recounted in his own spellbinding prose; and finally the tragedy of his final years, described by friends and supporters after his death. We also consider, more sporadically, later images of Caesar (e.g., in drama, political
programs, film, and scholarship), all the while emphasizing that it was Caesar more than anyone else who constructed his own legend. Classes are mostly lectures, but will include some discussion. Students will study a range of contemporary visual material and literature (including all of Caesar’s extant writings), as well as classic papers of leading Roman
historians.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
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