lecture 12 pt 2

Final Exam Details

• Date & Time: November 19th, 8:30 AM in the EMI building

• Weight: 30% of the course

• Format:

  • 15 short answer questions (similar to web assignments)

  • 1 essay question with a choice of 2 topics

• Cumulative: Covers material from throughout the semester

• Contact: Students encouraged to email with questions or concerns

Lecture Overview

• Last Lecture: Focuses on movie analysis relating to historical themes

• Movie Selected: Relates to the Huns, a nomadic group from Central Asia

• Historical Context:

  • Huns began moving westward in the mid-4th century CE, possibly due to climate factors, such as drought

  • Their migration displaced other groups, following the domino theory

• Impact on Other Tribes: The Goths, displaced by the Huns, sought asylum within the Roman Empire, promising military service in return

Description of the Huns

• Perspectives: Limited ancient records, mainly from Roman authors

• Marcellinus: Key Roman historian provided descriptions of the Huns, often exaggerated/stereotypical:

  • Claimed they were ‘glued to their horses’ and 'bow-legged'

  • Allegedly feared buildings and lived on horseback

  • Ridiculous claims included using field mouse skins for clothing and not knowing fire

Attila the Hun

• Unification: Attila unified fragmented Hunnic tribes through diplomacy and assassination

• Power: Established a significant empire quickly, dominating parts of Europe and Western Asia

• Military Campaigns:

  • Attila raided both Eastern and Western Roman Empires

  • Eastern Roman Empire bought him off with gold to avoid conflict

  • Attila later targeted the Western Roman Empire (Gaul), necessitating alliances with Germanic tribes

  • Battle of the Catalonian Fields (451 CE): Roman general and Germanic allies repelled Attila

Invasion of Italy

• Following his defeat in Gaul, Attila invaded Italy, sacking cities like Milan and Verona

• Pope Leo's Encounter: Pope Leo met Attila and persuaded him to withdraw from Rome, possibly through divine intervention

• Attila's Death: Died in 453 CE reportedly on the night of his wedding due to choking on blood, leading to the collapse of the Hunnic Empire soon after

Movie "Sign of the Pagan"

• Time & Context: Depicted the Huns as barbaric, contrasting with a Christianized Rome

• Character Portrayal:

  • Attila: Played by Jack Palance

  • Martian: Based on a historical figure but depicted as a general, not an emperor

• Film Themes:

  • The Romans are framed as good (Christian) and the Huns as evil (pagan)

  • Paganism refers to all non-Christian beliefs, emphasizing the clash with Christianity

Contemporary Reflections on History and Culture

• Movies shape public perception of history significantly, often inaccurately

• Historical figures are simplified or exaggerated to serve narratives supporting modern ideologies

• Caution against the misuse of historical examples (e.g., "fall of Rome") to justify contemporary political views

• Notable examples include comparisons made by politicians without accurate historical grounding

Future Courses Offered

• Summer 2025: Survey of Ancient Mediterranean World

• Winter 2025: Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic

• Winter 2025: Focus on Ancient Greek history, specifically Athenian democracy and Spartan history

• Introduction to Latin: Useful for various fields, emphasizing the importance of Latin for understanding modern languages and grammar

Closing Thoughts

• Encouragement for students to reflect critically on historical narratives and their adaptations in cultural productions.

• Opportunity for students to further explore ancient history in upcoming courses.