If ancient Greek and Roman poetry is the most influential poetry in Western literary history, no genre within it is more influential than epic — a kind of poetry most associated with Homer and Virgil, but extending into some remarkably strange places. This course examines the ancient epic tradition from Homer through Roman epics such as those of Virgil, Ovid, and Lucan. It may also look back as far as the precursors of Greek and Roman epic such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and forward to successors such as Paradise Lost. All readings are in English.
CLS 313: The Ancient Epic
Class Program