Vergil once wrote “love conquers all,” but what did love mean to ancient Romans? In this four-week course, we explore the Roman conception of amor as a potent, sometimes perilous, force. Through the lens of poetic and philosophical texts, we’ll examine how Roman authors such as Vergil, Catullus, and Ovid represented desire—not merely as romantic longing, but as a disruptive power entwined with gender, politics, and grief. Participants will discuss how these literary works reflect broader cultural anxieties and personal yearnings in the first century BCE, while also considering how ancient ideas about passion continue to resonate today. The seminar will explore how Roman concepts of love influenced art, ethics, and identity across generations. The rich and complex evidence we encounter will also invite us to contemplate our own ideas about desire and our enduring connection to the ancient world.
Registration Opens Online:
Monday, August 4, 2025, at 8 AM (AZ Time)
