Reed College
Reed College

Humanities 110

Introduction to the Humanities

Paper Topics | Spring 2014 | Paper 3

Due Saturday, April 26th 5 p.m., in your conference leader's Eliot Hall mailbox.
Length: 1,500-1,750 words

Choose one of the following questions:

  1. In the preface of The Rise of Rome, Livy writes: "The special and salutary benefit of the study of history is to behold evidence of every sort of behaviour set forth as on a splendid memorial; from it you may select for yourself and for your country what to emulate, from it what to avoid [...]" (4). In what sense is Livy's history is "a splendid memorial" and why does he choose this format? What is your own assessment of Livy's conception of history? In other words, what do you see as its particular strengths and what, if anything, would you criticize? To answer this part of the question, it is useful to compare Livy's methodology to that of another historian (choose one whose work provides a productive comparison). Your analysis should include discussion of specific passages from the texts.

  2. Both Virgil's Aeneid and Ovid's Metamorphoses are epic poems. Keeping in mind Homer's and other epic texts we have read in the course, reflect on how Virgil and/or Ovid negotiate the conventions of the epic genre(s)? Is prior epic tradition faithfully followed or radically redefined? That is, would you view Virgilian and/or Ovidian epic as exemplifying cultural and textual continuity or discontinuity? Your analysis should include discussion of specific passages from the text(s).

  3. In the epilogue to Metamorphoses, Ovid defines his poetic legacy: "Now stands my task accomplished, such a work / As not the wrath of Jove, nor fire nor sword / Nor the devouring ages can destroy. / Let, when it will, that day, that has no claim / But to my mortal body, end the span / Of my uncertain years. Yet I'll be borne, / The finer part of me, above the stars, / Immortal, and my name shall never die. / Wherever through the lands beneath her sway / The might of Rome extends, my words shall be / Upon the lips of men. If truth at all / Is stablished by poetic prophecy, / My fame shall live to all eternity." What does this say about Ovid's identification with the Roman Empire? Does Metamorphoses as a whole support this conclusion? Your analysis should include discussion of specific passages from the text.

  4. How does the Ara Pacis understand the relationship between nature and Republic? Define your terms. Draw your primary evidence from specific sculptural elements as well as relationships between those elements. Use the slides found here: http://cdm.reed.edu/ara-pacis/.

  5. Compare the depiction of Aeneas from a house in Pompeii (http://cdm.reed.edu/u?/vrcwork,100476) to one of the following: (1) the possible frieze of Aeneas on the Ara Pacis (http://cdm.reed.edu/u?/arapacis,2089, http://cdm.reed.edu/u?/arapacis,2317), (2) the representation of Aeneas in the Aeneid, in the passage in which he is looking at the tapestries in the Temple of Juno (Aeneid I.619-720) or (3) Folio 100v of the "Roman Vergil" (5th century), illustrating the convivium of Dido and Aeneas. What has each artist (or writer) chosen to emphasize about the hero? What elements in each scene epitomize Aeneas? What virtues, ideals, or weaknesses are illustrated in each case? What is the significance of the differences?

  6. Compare the use of vegetation on the Ara Pacis (e.g. http://cdm.reed.edu/u?/arapacis,1995; http://cdm.reed.edu/u?/arapacis,1996) with the use of the garden scenes from Augustus's wife Livia's House at Prima Porta (http://cdm.reed.edu/u?/vrcwork,80375). What strategies and attributes do they share? What is the possible significance of the differences?

  7. Write your own essay topic. If you choose this option, it is necessary to have your conference leader approve your topic before you start working on it.