FYS 251
Spectacles of Blood
Course Description
In this course we will try to answer the question, "Why did Romans
like to watch people die?" We will study the games of the arena and
the seminal, liminal figure of the gladiator, as well as the
phenomenon of public torture and execution of Christians (and other
criminals) in the arena and the seminal, liminal figure of the
martyr. Readings will include primary sources (translated into
English) describing the games and Christian persecutions and
secondary literature on the arena in the form of books and
articles.
This is a writing intensive course and students will write and
rewrite several short papers as well as edit the papers of fellow
students. Additionally, students will cooperate on several library
assignments and on a web-page for the class.
Course Home Page / Imber's
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