Cicero in New Spain

Catalog description

This course will explore the reception in colonial Mexico of Cicero's oration 'Pro Archia poeta' ("In defense of Archia the Poet"), with particular emphasis on its use in the colonial schools. Some of the related topics which will be tackled are: the role of education in building society, linguistic and national identity, the purpose and power of literature, the possible existence of an intrinsic value of poetry. Class activity will involve reading the oration in its entirety and in English; upon request, extracts in the original Latin can also be included. In parallel, we will examine handwritten primary sources from early modern Mexico, for which a basic training in Latin palaeography will be offered to the students.