Propaganda in Caesar and Vergil

This week’s feature post comes to us from Ruth Breindel:
After reading Vergil and Caesar for the AP, I give my students this assignment, so that they can see how propaganda is used by both authors.  During the year we discuss propaganda – the portrayal of Aeneas, the scenes in Book 6 of the Aeneid, Caesar’s discussions of the Gauls and how he makes himself look better – and its importance to the text and the authors (especially Vergil, writing at the time of Augustus!).  By linking it to modern day examples, the students see how propaganda continues even now, and how effective it can be.
In addition, take a look at this article that was just published: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22569913

More from the CANE blog

Links for the week of 16 September

If Achilles Used Facebook…: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/opinion/sunday/the-social-networks-of-myths.html?_r=1 Amazing details about a Roman town revealed: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/geophysical-survey-reveals-first-images-of-lost-roman-town/ Via @markhilverda A collection of beginning Latin readings: http://hiberna-cr.wikidot.com/reading-material @Quidfac A BBC

Links for the week of 30 September

A new Latin dictionary: http://www.instantlatin.com (via @twostraws) NCLG Book Grant Application: @http://www.promotelatin.org/index.php?option=com_smartformer&Itemid=79 (via @etclassics) Fundraising for a movie about the Roman army with “authentic gear:”