Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Rhetoric at Rome
School	History and Cultures
Department	Classics, AH and Archaeology
Module Code	09 38674
Module Lead	Dr Henriette van der Blom
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-4 hours Guided independent study-176 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Public speech was the main means of mass communication in the ancient world. At Rome, speeches were used to sway the people, deliberate in the senate and persuade the judge and jury in the law court – oratory was central to public life. In this module, we consider the development of rhetoric and oratory at Rome within its historical, political and social contexts from the Greek roots of Plato, Aristotle and Demosthenes, through Cicero’s dominant example, and up to Pliny’s panegyrical speech to emperor Trajan and Quintilian’s major work on the orator’s education. We will consider what rhetoric is, what makes up a good speech, and how we can engage with public speeches from the Roman past. While Cicero will be a central figure and source, the module will include consideration of fragmentary oratorical material (in translation) to set Cicero’s example into context, and to widen the understanding of oratory as a genre, a communication tool, and a career-enhancing factor. We will also compare ancient public speech with modern political speech when appropriate, and develop our own oratorical (presentation) skills. All sources will be read in translation.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of a range of rhetorical and oratorical features (aspects of rhetoric, well-known orators, oratorical situations) in ancient Rome; Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key methodologies relevant to the study of oratory and rhetoric in ancient Rome; Undertake independent enquiry into oratory and rhetoric in ancient Rome, and the scholarship concerned with it; Analyse and interpret textual and material sources concerning the oratory and rhetoric in ancient Rome.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1 x 3,000-word coursework (100%) Reassessment: Resubmission of failed component(s)
Other
Reading List