How did the Romans use mythology as forms of social and political
propaganda?
*Ideas to consider include the role of mythology in forming a sense of Roman
identity, the role of mythology in establishing Roman traditions, the ways in which
different myths were used to reinforce social structures, the ways in which myths
were used to support laws, the ways in which myths were used to
support/legitimize different customs and practices.
In your paper you are required to use both primary and secondary sources. A list of
suitable primary source authors is included with each research question, but it is up to
you to find suitable passages from these primary sources to support your arguments. You
must use at least two different primary sources in your paper (i.e. Livy and Polybius,
Petronius and Columella, two different works by the same author). Each body paragraph
should include at least one reference to a primary source.
In addition to the primary sources you need to use secondary sources to support your
arguments. You must use at least five different secondary sources in your paper. These
are scholarly print secondary sources, not popular history books and articles or websites.
Good secondary sources: peer reviewed journal articles, scholarly monographs/books,
and edited volumes
Poor secondary sources (DON’T USE THESE!!!): popular history books and articles,
encyclopedias and dictionaries, textbooks, websites.
The ONLY website that is permissible is the Perseus Digital Library for its collection of
primary source translations
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/
Go to Collections/Texts and select Greek and Roman sources. The sources are organized
alphabetically by the name of the ancient author; make sure you choose the English
translation version. DO NOT use secondary sources from this website, it is for
PRIMARY sources only.
Body Paragraph
Each body paragraph discusses one argument. Each argument must be supported by both
primary and secondary source evidence. Stick to your points. Do not include any
unnecessary information in your body paragraphs, as this will detract from the strength of
your argument.
DO use direct quotes from PRIMARY sources. These quotes should be no more than
three sentences long and you should briefly explain why it is significant to your
argument. DO NOT use direct quotes from SECONDARY sources: I want to read your
interpretation of what the author is stating. The primary and secondary source material
you cite in each paragraph has to directly support the argument, don’t stick random
passages in there just to fill an assignment requirement.
The rule of thumb is new argument = new paragraph
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Requirements
1. Papers must be word-processed, double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font,
with pages numbered.
2. All papers must have a title page with the research paper question as the title,
your name and ID number, the course name and number, the name of the
instructor, an exact word count (excluding the bibliography), and the date
submitted.
3. A bibliography of works (primary and secondary) cited in the paper must be
included on its own page, with all sources listed alphabetically.
4. A research paper is a formal writing assignment. You must use correct grammar.
Do not use conjugations (don’t, can’t, isn’t etc.); do not use slang. You will be
marked on proper spelling and grammar.
5. You paper is required to be 1500-1800 words in length. If you are over or under
by more than 100 words you will be penalized.
6. You must use at least TWO different primary sources and FIVE different
secondary sources in your paper.
7. Each body paragraph must have at least ONE primary source reference. Direct
quotations from the primary sources should not be longer than three sentences.
Avoid using direct quotations from secondary sources.
8. Papers must include a consistent citation system the style you choose to use is up
to you, but it must remain the same throughout.
9. Papers must include citations. You must indicate with an in-text citation,
footnote, or endnote, where you obtained your information from.
10. DO NOT use websites as secondary sources. The Perseus Digital Library can be
used for primary sources, but it is the only permissible website.
When typing in your search terms you can narrow down your results by selecting the ‘Scholarly & Peer Review’ filter
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