Unit information: Nero in 2011/12

Unit name	Nero
Unit code	CLAS37015
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Hales
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None,
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Nero is remembered as the worst of emperors. He has been held responsible for ushering in an age of decadence, of beginning the persecution of Christians and even setting fire to his own city. This unit explores why Nero has come to be seen in this light, looking at the evidence of his own reign, the attitude of later Roman writers and his reception in the modern western world. It explores what it is to be a bad emperor, considering how Nero becomes a model for other Roman tyrants (and even villains of the 20th century) and an antitype to good emperors. Was Nero really all that bad? He was loved by the people and the Neronian era was one of cultural florescence. We will examine texts from different literary genres, architecture, and different forms of iconography to re-examine history's judgement on Nero and Neronian society and culture.

The aims of this unit are:

• to familiarise students with the differing ways in which Nero has been configured in various ancient texts and images, and the uses to which these have been put by different authors and in different genres.

• to develop skills in reading and interpreting different kinds of texts and images in relation to issues of tyrannical power.

• to enable students to use the knowledge acquired in seminars and through independent research to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised in the texts and images studied.

• to develop student skills in oral and written communication.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students should:

• have acquired knowledge of the discourse surrounding Nero and the imperial role in the Roman world

• have developed their skills in reading and interpreting different kinds of texts and images in relation to issues of tyrannical power.

• be able to use the knowledge acquired in seminars and through independent research to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised by the representation of Nero in the texts studied.

• have had the opportunity to develop their skills in oral and written communication, in making short seminar presentations, taking part in seminar discussions, and producing an essay and a written examination.

Teaching Information

Seminars

Assessment Information

One essay of 3,000 words (50%) and one examination of 90 minutes (50%).

Reading and References

S. Bartsch, Actors in the Audience. Theatricality & Doublespeak from Nero to Hadrian (Cambridge, Ma) 1994

E. Champlin, Nero (Cambridge, Ma) 2005

J. Elsner & J. Masters, eds. Reflections of Nero: Culture, History and Representation (Cambridge) 1994

M. Griffin, Nero: the End of a Dynasty (London) 1984

V. Rudich, Dissidence & Literature under Nero (London) 1997

E. Varner ed., From Caligula to Constantine. Tyranny and Transformation in Roman Portraiture (Atlanta) 2000