Epigraphy Seminar Paper

Over the last week I have searched the Corpus Inscriptionem Latinarum for inscribed sling-bullets from Perusia.  Having found several examples, I then asked myself what am I going to do with them.  They will certainly serve as primary evidence in my dissertation but I need to come up with an argument suitable for a 25-30 page seminar paper.  Rather than write a mini-dissertation using the bullets as evidence for literacy in the Roman military, I have decided to examine the use of language to promote violence as evidenced on inscribed leaden sling-bullets.  I will compare the glandes Perusinae with Greek examples to examine how each tradition used language to promote violence.  For example, several Greek bullets survive with sayings such as: "Take this," "Ouch," and "Blood."  The examples from Perusia promote violence in a totally different way.  The insults are sexually oriented.  The use of sexual references to promote violence and anger can be found in other literary works contemporary with the bullets such as Catullus.  If indeed this pseudo-thesis pans out, I will provide specific examples in subsequent posts.  We will see how it goes...

Comments

[how to write a good dissertation]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!

[Hank Heatly]

I am reading Anthony Everitt's bio of Augustus and just came across the section on Fulvia et all at Perusia. Everitt goes into just a little detail on the inscribed sling bullets. I am not a scholar but was intrigued by his translations of some of the more lewd inscriptions. From a linguistic point of view I am arrested by what I have read... and need to know more. I don't wish to degrade this forum into blue discussions but am very curious as to the original inscriptions (presumably in vulgar Latin but perhaps Greek?). Do you have any idea where I might SEE images of these surviving inscribed objects? Or maybe see verbatim translations side-by-side with the original etchings?

I'm not at all certain even how to search?

Your project sounds interesting. It is probably done by now... but I'd like to find out more about the direction you declined (the literacy
angle).

Thank you.
Hank

hank AT heatly DOT com

[Dissertation Online]

Hi,
I personally like your post; you have shared good information.

[Writing Help]

Hi,
OK! Good information, you know. Will use it in writing my essays.

[Custom Essay]

Hi,
Nice work, thanks again for sharing such an informative ideas.

[GCSE coursework]

Hi,
It was a very nice article! Just want to say thank you for the information you have shared. Just continue writing this kind of post. Thanks.