The Roman Empire was a multicultural society that stretched over most of Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Its far reach is part of the reason its influence has remained for so many centuries. At the same time, Ancient Roman society was preoccupied with issues of status and used every form of human interaction to reinforce hierarchy. This was a society based on slavery, the subjugation of women, and the legislation of morality; the Romans aggressively expanded their territory, frequently through violent means. It is impossible to engage with any text or culture topic without at least acknowledging this.
In this class, our discussions will frequently touch upon difficult and uncomfortable topics, such as slavery and personal autonomy, gender roles and expectations, sexuality, poverty, violence, and death. Although Ancient Rome is separated from us by several centuries, students will find comparisons to our own world, current events, and personal experiences that may also cause discomfort. It is my goal to provide content warnings to students whenever possible and a safe environment in which to process this information.
Special Note for AP Latin:
The AP Latin curriculum requires students to complete passages from Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s de Bello Gallico. Both authors include graphic depictions of violence and death, as well as negative characterizations of non-Romans. Passages also include descriptions of genocide and suicide. As much as possible, I will give students warnings about the topics.