COML 3636

Ancient Beginnings of The Enlightenment: Lucian of Samosata

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2021-2022.

Lucian of Samosata (in modern-day Turkey) is one of the most influential and interesting but least read authors of the classical world. Lucian lived in an age of superstition and bunkum and he saw through it all. Instead of getting angry, he trolled his targets in satirical essays that are shot through with unmistakable irony, but that make a serious point. Accordingly, this course is devoted to reading the great majority of Lucian's own writings. Special attention will be given to the most influential pieces, namely A True History (the world's first science/speculative fiction novel), Death of Peregrinus, Zeus Rants, Momus, Alexander the False Prophet, and Slander: A Warning. These pieces are fascinating and their influence is profound. Moreover, this course situates students in the crossroads of intellectual, spiritual, and multicultural life in the high Roman Empire in which Lucian lived and moved. Students will be exposed to selected portions of relevant classic texts from Plato, the Bible, and Epicurus and Lucretius, as well as a range of Renaissance and Enlightenment thinkers—Erasmus, Voltaire, Swift, Schopenhauer, and others—whose works are written in the Lucianic mode.  All texts will be read in English.

When Offered Spring.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: no prior experience with the ancient world is necessary, but some familiarity with Greek mythology, Socrates, Plato, Epicureanism, or the Bible would be helpful.

Breadth Requirement (HB)
Distribution Category (LA-AS, ALC-AS)

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