Celts, Gauls, and Germans: Caesar's Ethnographies (Novice-Intermediate)
Instructor:
Description:
Other than scant epigraphical remains, the peoples of northern Europe in the first century left no account of their culture and customs in their own voice. Classical authors, often hostile, provide the only written accounts of these peoples, and none are more well known (nor as literally hostile) as Gaius Julius Caesar.
This course will survey Caesar's main ethnographic "digressions," the description of the Suebi (Germans) in book 4 (4.1.3-4.3/4), the ethnography of Britain (5.13/14), and the ethnographies of book 6 (6.11-28). The focus will be on the meaning of the text and the rhetorical aims of the ethnographies, with attention paid to their context both in Caesar's narrative and in the broader ethnographic traditions of Greece and Rome.
Classes will consist primarily of reading, explaining, and discussing the text in Latin. A brief amount of time will be reserved for English discussion at the end of the hour to clarify any language questions and discuss some of the more delicate and complex issues raised by the text. I will occasionally introduce external materials for consideration such as other ethnogrphic references to the Celts and Germans (in Greek with translation or Latin without), archaeological remains of Celtic Iron Age peoples, and possibly examples of Gaulish epigraphy.
The pace will be determined both by the level of the participants as well as the depth of discussion.
While we will be reading the unadapted works of Caesar and explaining them in Latin, this class will be accommodating to students early in their spoken Latin paths. A little experience speaking Latin is advised, but this would be a good first reading course, especially for someone familiar with Caesar. More advanced speakers are, of course, also welcome.
Nota bene: this class does not expect nor encourage reading in advance of class.
Sessions will take place via Zoom and are capped at 9 participants to ensure a personalized learning environment.
Schedule:
8 1-hour sessions over 8 weeks
Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST*
16 January, 2025 - 06 March, 2025
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight savings time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Cost: USD 200 ($25/ session)
What you’ll need:
• Zoom
• Decent internet
• Earphones
• Microphone
• Webcam (preferred but optional)
• A quiet space for classes
Instructor:
Description:
Other than scant epigraphical remains, the peoples of northern Europe in the first century left no account of their culture and customs in their own voice. Classical authors, often hostile, provide the only written accounts of these peoples, and none are more well known (nor as literally hostile) as Gaius Julius Caesar.
This course will survey Caesar's main ethnographic "digressions," the description of the Suebi (Germans) in book 4 (4.1.3-4.3/4), the ethnography of Britain (5.13/14), and the ethnographies of book 6 (6.11-28). The focus will be on the meaning of the text and the rhetorical aims of the ethnographies, with attention paid to their context both in Caesar's narrative and in the broader ethnographic traditions of Greece and Rome.
Classes will consist primarily of reading, explaining, and discussing the text in Latin. A brief amount of time will be reserved for English discussion at the end of the hour to clarify any language questions and discuss some of the more delicate and complex issues raised by the text. I will occasionally introduce external materials for consideration such as other ethnogrphic references to the Celts and Germans (in Greek with translation or Latin without), archaeological remains of Celtic Iron Age peoples, and possibly examples of Gaulish epigraphy.
The pace will be determined both by the level of the participants as well as the depth of discussion.
While we will be reading the unadapted works of Caesar and explaining them in Latin, this class will be accommodating to students early in their spoken Latin paths. A little experience speaking Latin is advised, but this would be a good first reading course, especially for someone familiar with Caesar. More advanced speakers are, of course, also welcome.
Nota bene: this class does not expect nor encourage reading in advance of class.
Sessions will take place via Zoom and are capped at 9 participants to ensure a personalized learning environment.
Schedule:
8 1-hour sessions over 8 weeks
Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST*
16 January, 2025 - 06 March, 2025
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight savings time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Cost: USD 200 ($25/ session)
What you’ll need:
• Zoom
• Decent internet
• Earphones
• Microphone
• Webcam (preferred but optional)
• A quiet space for classes
Instructor:
Description:
Other than scant epigraphical remains, the peoples of northern Europe in the first century left no account of their culture and customs in their own voice. Classical authors, often hostile, provide the only written accounts of these peoples, and none are more well known (nor as literally hostile) as Gaius Julius Caesar.
This course will survey Caesar's main ethnographic "digressions," the description of the Suebi (Germans) in book 4 (4.1.3-4.3/4), the ethnography of Britain (5.13/14), and the ethnographies of book 6 (6.11-28). The focus will be on the meaning of the text and the rhetorical aims of the ethnographies, with attention paid to their context both in Caesar's narrative and in the broader ethnographic traditions of Greece and Rome.
Classes will consist primarily of reading, explaining, and discussing the text in Latin. A brief amount of time will be reserved for English discussion at the end of the hour to clarify any language questions and discuss some of the more delicate and complex issues raised by the text. I will occasionally introduce external materials for consideration such as other ethnogrphic references to the Celts and Germans (in Greek with translation or Latin without), archaeological remains of Celtic Iron Age peoples, and possibly examples of Gaulish epigraphy.
The pace will be determined both by the level of the participants as well as the depth of discussion.
While we will be reading the unadapted works of Caesar and explaining them in Latin, this class will be accommodating to students early in their spoken Latin paths. A little experience speaking Latin is advised, but this would be a good first reading course, especially for someone familiar with Caesar. More advanced speakers are, of course, also welcome.
Nota bene: this class does not expect nor encourage reading in advance of class.
Sessions will take place via Zoom and are capped at 9 participants to ensure a personalized learning environment.
Schedule:
8 1-hour sessions over 8 weeks
Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST*
16 January, 2025 - 06 March, 2025
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight savings time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Cost: USD 200 ($25/ session)
What you’ll need:
• Zoom
• Decent internet
• Earphones
• Microphone
• Webcam (preferred but optional)
• A quiet space for classes
NOTA BENE: Classes require a minimum number of participants to run although they may run with fewer participants, at the instructor’s discretion.
Refund policy:
More than a week before the start of the course: 100% refund or credit
Less than a week before the first class up until the second class: credit