Under Pressure: Foreign Powers in Gaul - Caesar Book 1 (Novice-Intermediate)
Instructor:
Description:
In the Summer of 58, Gaul was beset on two fronts: Germans to the east venturing across the Rhine, to the south, the Romans. Led by the controversial Caesar, fresh off of his turbulent tenure as consul, and looking for a second shot at a triumph, the Romans were about to finally settle a grudge kept for over three hundred years, since Brennus humiliated Rome at the battle of the Allia. Pressed on two fronts, and divided by innumerable (and unrecorded) internal conflict, Gaul was about to endure perhaps her most eventful decade yet.
This course will trace the beginnings of Caesar's account of his proconsulship in Gaul. We will consider both the literary art Caesar employs to set Gaul up as a "chessboard" to be conquered but also the human situation on the ground on the eve of conquest.
Classes will consist primarily of reading and explaining the text, with a little discussion in Latin followed by further discussion in English with supplemental materials. This class will cover the initial Geography, the Helvetian war, and the war with Ariovistus, possibly reading further depending on the class.
While we will be reading the unadapted works of Caesar and explaining them in Latin, this class will be accommodating of students early in their spoken Latin paths. A little experience speaking Latin is advised, but this would be a good first reading course. More advanced speakers are, of course, also welcome.
Nota bene:
This class does not expect nor encourage reading in advance of class.
Class will not meet on June 19th (Juneteenth)
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
Wednesdays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST*
8 May, 2024 - 26 June, 2024
*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
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 prior to the start of the course: 100% refund or credit
Within 2 weeks of the start of the course: credit to use for another course hosted on LAC