Freedom in Ancient Rome and the Modern World
Spring Quarter 2025
NO PREREQUISITES
SATISFIES VLPA/I&S, DIV REQUIREMENTS, AND COUNTS AS 'W' CLASS/5 CR.
Instructor: Dr. Joseph Bringman
e-mail: bringj@uw.edu
Course description: Freedom – libertas, in Latin – was a fundamental concept in ancient Rome, central throughout its history to, and in all aspects of, its political and social life. Indeed, the word libertas became literally synonymous with (that is, a name for) the ‘Roman Republic’. This course examines 'freedom' in ancient Rome, from its founding in the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD, when Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire. Through selected readings in both primary and secondary sources, we will examine the various forms of freedom important to Romans and how their views evolved (or remained the same) over time, specifically: personal freedom (including slavery), political freedom, religious freedom, and intellectual freedom (i.e., the freedom to write or say what one wants). In addition, however, we will also examine various perspectives on ‘freedom’ expressed in the modern world, including (but not limited to) the United States, and what they owe or do not owe to Roman concepts. Readings in Orlando Patterson’s landmark book Freedom, an historical overview of the concept, will provide a benchmark for this, but will be supplemented by other readings as well.
Required texts and readings:
- Readings drawn from various primary sources (=ancient authors), including: Plato, Cicero, Livy, Horace, Seneca the Younger, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Epictetus, Appian, Marcus Aurelius, Cassius Dio, St. Augustine, etc.. (This list is provisional and subject to change and emendation!)
- Patterson, Orlando. Volume 1: Freedom in the Making of Western Culture. Basic Books 1992. PLEASE note that this book is NOT currently available in electronic form. You WILL need a print copy of it. If you plan to enroll in this class, you should obtain a copy BEFORE the quarter begins -- you will need it starting Day 1 of the quarter.
- Powell, J., trans. (2009) Cicero. The Republic and the Laws. Oxford World's Classics. Oxford University Press. An e-version of this book is available from the publisher and through other sellers.
- Additional readings in various secondary sources will be supplied or are readily available online through the UW Libraries (links will be provided on Canvas as needed)
Learning Objectives. At the conclusion of this class, you will be able to:
- Think and write critically about fundamental perspectives on and ideas about ‘freedom’ in ancient Rome as expressed by a broad range of Greek and Roman writers and examined in variety of scholarly studies.
- Relate the Roman material to a broad selection of ideas and perspectives on ‘freedom’ in the modern world, including (but not limited to) the United States from its founding to the present day.
- Think and write critically about the role of ‘freedom’ in four essential areas: personal freedom (including slavery); political freedom; religious freedom; and intellectual freedom.
- Acquire the foundations for a historically and culturally informed appreciation of and sensitivity to a seminal concept in the development of Western and non-Western societies.