The Classical Heritage

Introduction Greek Philosophy Roman Legacy

◦ Writers◦ History◦ Law◦ Empire◦ Latin

Greek Philosophy◦ Plato

Anti-relativistic Socrates and moral instruction The Forms or Ideas Relation to Neo-Platonists and mystics Timaeus only dialogue known direction in

West

◦ Aristotle Form and matter joined Logic Ethics of moderation Science - spheres

◦ Boethius Translator of Greek philosophy Particularly Aristotle

◦ Other Greek writers not known directly in the West

◦ Major Writers Cicero

Father of Eloquence – Rhetoric Importance of On Friendship Scipio’s Dream

Virgil Aeneid Dido and Love Pilgrimage and Aeneas’ journey 4th Eclogue

Ovid Metamorphoses – source of pagan myths Amores

◦ History Livy Suetonius Sallust

◦ Law Roman Law Justinian Code

Virgil Holy Roman Empire Dante

Church Universities European lingua franca