University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: TBC

This module will explore a tradition of philosophy which has often been considered 'secondary' or 'derivative', namely the writing of philosophical works by Romans, in Rome. This module aims to evaluate this tradition in its own right. A selection of texts will be read and discussed in translation. It will be seen that, taken as a whole, the Latin philosophical corpus presents an impressive record of cultural assimilation and innovation. We shall see how, from the Late Republic onwards, Roman philosophy engages with debates current in the Hellenistic philosophical schools, Romanizing them in the process, and placing them in the context of world order under the Roman empire.

Personnel