This course explores the relationship between epic literature and concepts of empire and how they shaped historical and cultural inheritance. A focus will be on the role of diplomacy in historical events and as depicted in epic works. Readings include The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Aeneid, The Germania, Beowulf, King Lear, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and Omeros. Special guest lectures will be given by former British ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer.

1. PWAD 489/CMPL 489 explores the di-
alectic between epic literature and the
concept of imperium with the aim of
understanding their roles in shaping his-
torical and cultural inheritance. A spe-
cial focus of the course will be the role
of diplomacy in historical events and
as a thematic element in epic literature.
Works include the Epic of Gilgamesh,
Homer’s Iliad, Virgil’s Aeneid, Tacitus’s
The Germania, Beowulf, Shakespeare’s
King Lear, selections from Gibbon’s The
History of the Decline and Fall of the Ro-
man Empire, Derek Walcott’s Omeros.
Special guest lectures by
noted author, journalist, and
diplomat Sir Christopher
Meyer, the former British
ambassador to the United
States and to Germany.
EPIC, EMPIRE, AND DIPLOMACY
PWAD/CMPL 489
Spring 2016
TR 2:00-3:15pm
Global Center–Room 1009
Dr. T Leinbaugh
leinbaugh@unc.edu