The assignment should follow the following reading: 1. The Making of the West Chapter 4: From the Classical to the Hellenistic World 400–30 BCE – Read how during this period of political, social, and cultural change, this region of the world was transformed. Chapter 5: The Rise of Rome and Its Republic 753–44 BCE – Explore the rise of Rome, its domination, expansion, and violent disintegration. 2. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Vol. 1 Virgil, The Aeneid – This epic poem was inspired by the foundation of Rome and has become a very influential text in the study of the Western cultural and literary traditions. Write on one of the following topics: 1) What are the major conflicts in The Aeneid? Go beyond just Dido and Aeneas, Greeks and Trojans, to consider other less obvious ones. What types of conflicts (physical, moral, intellectual, or internal) can you detect? Describe the conflict(s), and resolution if there is one, in detail with multiple references to the text in your response. 2) Compare carefully the opening lines of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid. How does the opening of Virgil’s poem set itself apart from those earlier openings of Homer, which most of his readers could repeat by heart? How is Virgil’s introduction both alike and different from Homer’s? Especially, how does the opening of Virgil’s poem sound out themes that are unique to Roman culture, its historical role, and its age? Use multiple details, examples, quotations in your response.