Topic for Paper 6

Directions:

  • Electronic copy (to victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu): the subject header of the e-mail can be whatever, but the name of your attached Word (or other) file should be:
  • S11-228-P6-Last Name, First Name (e.g. S11-228-P6-Doe, John)
  • Paper copy: bring to class or drop by my office
  • Length: 600-1000ish words
  • in-text citation reminders:
  • you must cite your sources of information (facts, theories, etc).
  • in general you want 3+ citations per main body paragraph
  • McManus web pages: give McManus and part of header, e.g. "The manager of a gladiatorial troupe was called a lanista"(McManus, Training)
    • Shelton: you must include ancient author, if known, modern author and page number, but see directions for paper 1
  • "Works Cited" reminders:
  • at end of paper not on a separate sheet (if possible)
  • only include entries for what you used in your paper
  • make sure the "Works Cited page" is in the same font and same font size as your main text
  • McManus web pages: check pdf on how MLA7 or APA6 or Chicago Manual of Style wants it to be listed
  • make sure that you use hanging indents for the bibliography
    • Write on one of the following topics (but if you picked the topic for Paper 5, you can't choose it again):
    1.  Gore and death played a critical role in the arena games of ancient Rome. Examine how and why this is so. As always, make sure you give specific examples from Shelton and McManus (only), especially from the primary evidence, to back up your conclusions.

    2. Football often gets likened to gladiatorial games, e.g. a NYTimes discussion was entitled "Our Gladiatorial Pastime"(Roger I. Abrams, NYTimes, Oct 3, 2010) and MU's defensive coordinator referred to football as "the last gladiatorial sport" (Dave Matter, Columbia Tribune, Nov 2, 2010). Discuss how valid this comparison is, using Shelton and McManus as your sole source of information about the gladiatorial games and your own knowledge about football (or whatever sources you wish, just make sure your works cited entry is correct and that you provide in-text citations).

    3.     We have seen that Roman art is a valuable source of information about life and times during the Roman empire. Detail some of the ways the art at the two web pages on the gladiatorial games at VRoma by Barbara McManus(click here) expands upon the documentary evidence provided in Shelton's text on the gladiatorial games.  [When citing the web site, give the author and the location where the original is, e.g. McManus, Verona Museum].

    4. Religion in the movie--how are the religious beliefs/practices in the movie like today?

    5. "If only you had been born a man, what a Caesar you would have made." Marcus Aurelius to Lucilla in Gladiator. Lucilla plays a key role politically in the movie--how is she like the women of the Severan dynasty? How different? For the Severan dynasty, use Kebric's chapter.

    6. "Some are good for fighting, some for dying -- you need both, I think." Slave trader to Proximo in Gladiator. The "games" presented in the movie are really an amalgam of the various types of entertainment provided at the arena games (and other games at special celebrations). In your essay first briefly present what has been combined and then discuss how the combinations are effective for getting across the brutality of the Roman arena games to American audiences. For the Roman arena games use Shelton and McManus.

    7. "What we do in life echoes in eternity." Maximus to his troops at the beginning of Gladiator. "I will see you again. But not yet. Not yet."  Juba says this after he buries the images of Maximus' son and wife at the end of Gladiator. The afterlife plays a key theme in the movie and is important in the mystery religions and early Christianity. Discuss how the portrayal is similar to that of the mystery religions and early Christianity.