English 271

The ancient world - from 60,000 BCE to 650 AD – is the period in which early civilizations emerged. This program provides an introductory snapshot of eight of these civilizations, looking at what they had in common and how they were unique. We trace the rise, fall, and legacy of the ancient societies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Maya, India, China, Rome, Greece and Persia.

Link out to a Research Starter on Homer's Odyssey including background and biographical information.

Link out to a Research Starter on Virgil including background and biographical information.

Link out to a Research Starter on Virgil's Aeneid including background information.

Link out to a Research Starter on theater in Ancient Greece.

This program looks at the theatres of Herodus Atticus, Epidauros, Corinth (where Arion is said to have taught the dithyramb), and many others to explain the design of the ancient theater, the synthesis of art forms that was ancient Greek drama, the origins of tragedy, the audience in classical times, the comparative roles of writer/director and actors, and the use of the surrounding landscape in many plays.

Link out to a Research Starter on Antigone.

Antigone is perhaps the most easily accessible of all the great classical tragedies, its theme clear and up-to-date: the conflict between moral and political law. Now the tale of Oedipus and his family comes to its end-he, his wife Jocasta, his sons, and now, at the last, his daughter, all dead. Antigone is not the only victim in the play; Creon too comes to a tragic downfall-although he repents in time, bureaucratic ritual results in the deaths of Creon's son and wife, burdening him with guilt as well as grief. With Juliet Stevenson, John Shrapnel, and John Gielgud.

From Drama For Students, Volume 1: author biography, plot summary, character analysis, themes, style, and historical context.

Link out to a Research Starter on Saint Augustine including background and biographical information.

Link out to a Research Starter on Augustine's Confessions including background and biographical information.

Link out to a brief overview of Saint Augustine's Confession for a better understanding as you read the actual texts.

Link out to a more detailed summary of the Confessions of Saint Augustine; again to assist you in reading the actual texts.