COR 046H: Ancient Rome in Film, Fiction, Fact
Schedule of Topics and Assignments, Part III

XI. Caligula. December 1

• Course pages:
  • Caligula: Historical Background
• External Links:
  • De Imperatoribus Romanis: Caligula (biography by Garrett G. Fagan)
  • Caligula (Ellis L. Knox, Boise State University)
  • Caligula (Mad Monarchs Series)
  • Camus' Caligula: Historical Drama? (Rod Nicholls, University College of Cape Breton)
  • Caligula (movie)

XII. The Roman House (These Were the Romans, chapter 3). December 3

• Course pages:
  • The Roman House (including sub-pages on the various rooms)
• External Links:
  • Living in the City of Rome: Housing (David Noy, University of Wales, Lampeter), includes good primary sources
  • La Casa Romana (text in Italian)
• Assignment (due December 8): Submit a list of 10 objective questions with answers (true and false or multiple choice) covering the most important aspects of the unit on the Roman house; these will also contribute to our library of questions for the Roman Pursuit game in the VRoma MOO. These questions should be prepared individually, not in groups; they should be emailed to me before class on December 8. On December 8, the class will take a brief objective quiz on the same topic.

XIII. Leisure and Entertainment (These Were the Romans, chapter 15). December 8-15

Dinner Parties and Baths. December 8

• Course pages:
  • Leisure and Entertainment: Theater
  • Roman Baths
• External Links:
  • De Re Coquinaria, what the Romans ate and how to cook it
  • Ancient Theater: 2500 Years and Going Strong (Didaskalia)
  • Introduction to Roman Stagecraft (Didaskalia)
  • Roman Wall Paintings and Temporary Stages (THEATRON)
  • Roman Permanent Theatres (THEATRON)
  • Plautus' Aulularia (Miami University and Wellington School), includes essays and images on Roman comedy plus the Latin text of the play
  • Aulularia (production of Plautus'play in English by University of Richmond)
  • The Brothers Menaechmus (a translation and production of Plautus' play by Furman University)
  • Roman Ball Games (Jan Kowalski, with assistance from Penn State History Department)
  • Roman Board Games (Jan Kowalski, with assistance from Penn State History Department)
  • Public Baths of Pompeii (Archaeology 304, Bowdoin College)
  • Ancient Baths Resource Site (Garrett C. Fagan), includes a glossary of bath-related terms
  • The Town-Baths (Archaeological Park, Xanten, Germany)
  • Hadrian's Baths at Lepcis Magna, Libya

Sports. December 10-15

• Course Pages:
  • Chariot Racing
  • Gladiatorial Games (including sub-pages on modern assessments of the arena's meaning and venationes)
• External Links:
  • Living in the City of Rome: Entertainment (David Noy, University of Wales, Lampeter), includes good primary sources
  • The Circus Maximus (International Museum of the Horse)
  • The Gladiator Home Page (Roger Dunkle, Brooklyn College) , includes a whole series of pages on gladiators, amphitheaters, venationes
  • The Colosseum, Rome (Classical Studies Virtual Field Trip, Marlborough Boys' College)
• Assignment (due December 15): Submit a list of 10 objective questions with answers (true and false or multiple choice) covering the most important aspects of the units on the Roman baths and chariot racing; these will also contribute to our library of questions for the Roman Pursuit game in the VRoma MOO. These questions should be prepared individually, not in groups; they should be emailed to me before class on December 15. On December 15, the class will take a brief objective quiz on the same topic.

The final examination will take place in CC 136 on Friday, December 18 from 1:00-4:00 pm. At that time students will complete web pages on the take-home question and one other question that will be assigned at the time; this second question will deal with one of the topics on daily life and customs (specific topic will be selected by each student). Take-home question:

It is obvious from the historical record that the first Roman emperor, Augustus, tried very hard to ensure that one of his direct descendants would succeed to the position of emperor. However, his first direct descendant to eventually become emperor (Caligula) was probably not what he would have wanted. Imagine that you are the deified Augustus observing your great-grandson Caligula during his four years as emperor. Describe his character and behavior and reflect on how it deviated from the plans and expectations you had in mind when you designed the Principate. For your evidence, support your statements with specific references to I,Claudius and by linking to factual materials drawn from the course and external web pages.

Click here for the exam and several web pages produced in response to the questions.

SCHEDULE OF LAB SESSIONS:

12. Work on MOO rooms and objects for Roman Pursuit game (December 1, 8, 15)

VRoma Home Page