A study of the literature produced during the period of the Roman Empire, including the works of the poets Virgil and Ovid, and the prose writer Livy.
Roman Civilization: The study of Roman civilization encompasses the social, political, and economic structures that characterized life in the Roman Empire. Understanding the day-to-day workings of the Roman state is essential for contextualizing Roman literature.
Roman Mythology: Roman mythology is the set of beliefs and stories that shaped Roman religion. Roman literature is steeped in references to gods and heroes, and an understanding of these traditional tales is essential for understanding literary texts.
Latin Language: Latin is the language in which most Roman literature was written. A basic understanding of Latin grammar and vocabulary is very useful for reading Roman texts in their original language.
Epic Poetry: Epic poetry is a long, narrative poem that typically tells of heroic deeds and events of national or religious importance. The Roman Empire produced many epic poems, including Virgil's Aeneid, which remains one of the most influential works of literature in Western culture.
Tragedy: Tragedy is a form of drama that typically tells the story of a hero who is brought down by a tragic flaw or circumstance. The Roman Empire produced many tragedies, including Seneca's plays, which were heavily influenced by Greek tragedy.
Satire: Satire is a literary genre that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique society or politics. The Roman Empire produced many satirical works, including Juvenal's Satires, which provided a biting critique of the Roman government and society.
Historiography: Historiography is the study of historical writing, including the sources, methods, and interpretations of historical texts. The Roman Empire produced many historical works, including Livy's Ab Urbe Condita, which provided a detailed account of Roman history from its foundation to the age of Augustus.
Philosophy: Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics. Many Roman authors wrote about philosophical topics, including Seneca, who wrote extensively about Stoicism.
Gender and Sexuality: Roman literature offers fascinating insights into the gender and sexual norms of the Roman Empire. Literary works such as Ovid's Metamorphoses and Catullus's poetry explore themes of love, desire, and gender identity.
Art and Architecture: Roman literature often references or describes the art and architecture of the Roman Empire. Understanding the art and architecture can provide important context for literary works, and literary works can offer unique perspectives on how Romans viewed their own monuments and art.
Epic Poetry: This type consists of long narrative poems about heroic deeds and characters from Roman mythology, history, and legends, with themes of adventure, valour, and love. Famous examples include the Aeneid by Virgil, and the Metamorphoses by Ovid.
Tragedy: Roman tragedy typically involves central characters who are brought to ruin or suffer extreme emotional pain due to their flaws or poor choices. Seneca is one of the most prominent writers of Roman tragedy, with his plays such as Medea and Phaedra.
Comedy: Roman comedy is characterised by its focus on amusing situations and witty dialogue, and often features stock characters such as braggarts, slaves, and tricksters. Notable writers of this genre include Plautus and Terence.
Satire: This type uses irony, humour, and mockery to expose flaws and vices in society and individuals. Two of the most famous Roman satirists are Horace and Juvenal, who criticised the moral decay of Rome and its people.
Lyric Poetry: Roman lyric poetry is renowned for its emotional and personal content, often expressed in a musical or song-like format. The poems may celebrate, lament, or reflect on love, life, and nature. Catullus is one of the most revered writers in this category.
Historical Narrative: This genre involves the retelling of past events, battles or biographies by Roman authors. The most significant work in history in the Roman world is written by Livy, who covered the early history of Rome from its foundation to the end of the Republic.
Philosophy: Roman philosophy offers different perspectives on moral ethics and provides guidance for righteous living. The most prominent writers of Roman philosophy are Cicero, who sets out the Stoic principles, and Seneca, who applied Stoicism to practical life.