

" Audio download (36 lectures, 30 minutes each)...mostly on a treadmill.

As a lad studying Latin II in high school, over 50 years ago (sigh), I was tasked to translate portions of Julius Caesar's accounts of the Gallic Wars. As I remember faintly, the foes were not characterized as barbarians, but rather more noble, even sophisticated...thereby making any victory over them much more meaningful.

Enter Dr Harl and this series of lectures...

The Greeks considered the early Romans to be barbarians unti



" Audio download (36 lectures, 30 minutes each)...mostly on a treadmill.

As a lad studying Latin II in high school, over 50 years ago (sigh), I was tasked to translate portions of Julius Caesar's accounts of the Gallic Wars. As I remember faintly, the foes were not characterized as barbarians, but rather more noble, even sophisticated...thereby making any victory over them much more meaningful.

Enter Dr Harl and this series of lectures...

The Greeks considered the early Romans to be barbarians until the mutual assimilation of each others' cultures...the Romans copied Greek art, and the Greeks got to pay Roman taxes...and so it goes. In my mind, this begs the question as to what constitutes a barbarian? Conan or Hagar? Or is it just (to paraphrase) 'one man's barbarian is another man's patriot'? These lectures examine the history of the various 'barbarians' the Roman civilization encountered during its domination of Europe and the near east.

Other TGC reviewers (and what a great set of reviews we have for these lectures) have noted that Roman history may be a roadmap for the future of the US...are we Romans? Dr Harl gives us plenty to think about. He posits: “To some extent, it can be argued that the 900-year history of Roman ascendancy was an interlude in local barbarian societies”, suggesting that the Roman era was just a passing fancy. But then follows with the obvious Roman legacies found in law, language, philosophy and of course the christian church.

Very good, in-depth course! Probably not a good one for the treadmill, since the shifting locations and cast of thousands are best augmented by following the guidebook and use of the internet...DVD might be a better choice.

Highly recommended, when on sale with a coupon. "

