Triumvir Clio

Roman Epics X: Virgil’s Georgics Book 3, or Look! Cows!

Virgil goes into great detail on animal husbandry in Book 3 of the Georgics. Discussion Prompts Pick one: Cattle, horses, sheep, or goats? Why? AP Credit: Compare/contrast the Biblical stories about sheep and goats with Virgil’s discussion of sheep and goats. What do you think about Virgil’s discussion of different herding practices? What’s your favorite partContinue reading “Roman Epics X: Virgil’s Georgics Book 3, or Look! Cows!”

Roman Comedy XXIV: Terence’s Eunouchus, or The Eunuch is Not Who He Seems

The title character is not who he seems in Terence’s Eunouchus. Discussion Prompts Who is the titular eunuch? Why? If you were directing this today, how would you handle the rape that is central to the plot? And the usual directing questions: dream cast, setting, vision, etc.? Vengeance vs justice as presented in this play. Discuss.Continue reading “Roman Comedy XXIV: Terence’s Eunouchus, or The Eunuch is Not Who He Seems”

Greek Myth XXXII: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter VII – Prometheus, Deucalion, Daughters of Aeolus, or A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

Pseudo-Apollodorus turns his attention to the family of Prometheus in today’s selection from the Bibliotheca. Discussion Prompts Which of the various stories covered in this chapter is your favorite? Why? What would you do if you were Marpessa? Why? Can you explain the Aload’s mountain stacking? Why do you think Iphimedia is in love withContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXII: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter VII – Prometheus, Deucalion, Daughters of Aeolus, or A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That”

Roman Epics IX: Virgil’s Georgics Book 2, or The Lorax

Virgil speaks for the trees in Book 2 of the Georgics. Discussion Prompts If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be? Why? Discuss Virgil’s take on terroir. How has the land where you live and/or grew up affected who you are today? What do you think of the Georgics so far? Why?Continue reading “Roman Epics IX: Virgil’s Georgics Book 2, or The Lorax”

Roman Comedy XXIII: Terence’s Heauton Timorumenos, or Two Dads, Their Sons, and a Pizza Place

Two fathers, two sons, and two objects of their affection get mixed up in Heauton Timorumenos. Discussion Prompts Bacchis. Discuss. What does this play say about the relationship between father and son? The usual directing questions: vision? setting? dream cast? Is Syrus a “clever slave”? Why or why not? Mercenaries. Discuss.

Greek Myth XXXI: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter VI – War of the Giants, Typhon, or Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Heracles and the Olympians team up to fight some giants. Discussion Prompts Why do you think it is necessary for the gods to team up with a mortal to defeat the giants? Can it be any mortal? Did it have to be Heracles? Would Typhon have been easier to defeat if Heracles had helped? WhatContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXI: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter VI – War of the Giants, Typhon, or Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”

Roman Epics VIII: Virgil’s Georgics Book 1, or Not Hesiod’s Works and Days

Virgil expounds on farming in the first book of the Georgics. Discussion Prompts. AP Credit: Compare/contrast Virgil’s story of early human existence and the biblical Garden of Eden. Are we better since Jupiter brought pain into the world? AP Credit: Compare/contrast Hesiod’s “fall of man” with Virgil’s. Do you believe Virgil really is happy aboutContinue reading “Roman Epics VIII: Virgil’s Georgics Book 1, or Not Hesiod’s Works and Days”

Roman Comedy XXII: Terence’s Andria, or No, the Other Woman from Andros

The marriage is on and off in Terence’s Andria. Discussion Prompts Who is the titular woman from Andros? Chrysis? Or Glycerium? Which translation of the title is better, The Girl from Andros or The Woman from Andros? Why? How does this play upend some of our stock characters? AP Credit: Compare/Contrast this play with Thornton Wilder’sContinue reading “Roman Comedy XXII: Terence’s Andria, or No, the Other Woman from Andros”

Greek Myth XXX: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter V – Demeter & Persephone, or It’s No Homeric Hymn

Pseudo-Apollodorus manages to stay on topic as he tells the tale of Demeter and Persephone. Discussion Prompts Which story is better: Helios tells Demeter about the abduction or the people of Hermion do? Why? What is Demeter’s end-goal in making Demophon immortal? Does Ascalphus deserve his punishment? Why or why not?

Roman Epics VII: Intro to Virgil, or Rome’s Favorite Propagandist

Virgil loved Rome and Rome loved Virgil. Discussion Prompts How familiar are you with the works of Virgil? What are you looking forward to reading?