Latin 520 ('Schooling the Emperor'): Assignment for Week 1 (30 March-3 April)

• Read:

Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria 1 (=Book 1, pp. 50-253 in Loeb, Vol. 1)

In an ideal world, you would read all of this in Latin. In this world, you will have read all of it in English and a good chunk of it in Latin. What, you ask, is a 'good chunk'? A reasonable expectation (for Wednesday) is about 6 of the Book's 12 chapters (or the preface plus a few chapters). At least initially, I'm not going to dictate what you should and should not have read in Latin, but we will be looking at the Latin in class.

• Ponderanda:

Be on the lookout for metaphor and simile in this book (and in subsquent books), and be prepared to cite an example or two. Are there any particular, recurring favorites? What is the effect or impact of such devices?

Why does Q. seem to link the state of being 'good' with being 'perfect' (perfectus, 1.proem.9)? Indeed, what does Q. mean by perfectus (insofar as you can tell at this point)?

A focal point of this seminar (allegedly) is what constitutes the proper education of an emperor. While this is not the explicit aim of the Inst., what, if any, qualities discussed in this initial book strike you as germane to a 'wise ruler' -- one whom one hopes will be a vir bonus?

In the Dialogus Tacitus appears to dispute many of Quintilian's educational tenets. Are there any principles or assertions in Book 1 with which you would take issue? or with which you heartily agree? Be prepared to identify and explain.

Related to the preceding: It is safe to say that Q. holds many surprises for you. What most surprised you about Book 1?

• Secondary reading:

Read Russell's short but good introduction in Vol. 1 of the Loeb (pp. 1-49)