Course Description

This course will explore the interdisciplinary magic of the language of the Romans. How has Latin stood the test of time? Why are its vocabulary and grammar intriguing? Where can we find Latin hiding throughout Western culture? The course will incorporate these questions into the following weekly mini topics: Caecilius, a Pompeian banker whose name and records were frozen in time in 79 CE by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius; the unique power of Roman artifacts; from the American Founding Fathers to Harry Potter; domestic life in Roman Britain; Julius Caesar in Gaul in the 50s BCE; persuasive speech—the original meaning of "rhetoric" as the mainstream of Roman education.    | Lecture (plus Questions); Facilitated Discussion; Listening to audio recordings