Readings in Latin Literature: Roman Women

What did it mean to be a woman in the late Republic and Imperial Rome? What social conditions, cultural attitudes, and lived experiences defined their identities? Can we hear their voices after two millennia? To answer these questions, we will analyze a wide range of primary material in Latin, from literary texts to inscriptions and graffiti. We will encounter representations of women from different socio-economic backgrounds and better understand the discourses (literary, religious, mythical, and medical) shaping their identities. Readings aim to improve students' flexibility with Latin across genres and media.