Michael Barich has taught at Kenyon since 1985. His courses include Greek and Latin at all levels, literature in translation and ancient history. He has recently offered advanced Greek and Latin courses on Plato, Aristophanes and Petronius.
Barich's scholarly work is devoted in particular to epic poetry and the literature of the early Roman Empire. His translation of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica into English verse was published by XOXOX Press in 2009. His most recent scholarly publication is "Poet and Readers: Reflections on the Verbal and Narrative Art of Valerius Flaccus' Argonautica" in "Brill's Companion to Valerius Flaccus," edited by Mark Heerink and Gesine Manuwald (Leiden: Brill, 2014): 29-48.
Barich also has had a lifelong interest in astronomy. He helps conduct public observing sessions at Kenyon's Franklin Miller Observatory to introduce students and others to the wider universe.
Education
1982 — Doctor of Philosophy from Yale University
1977 — Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College
Courses Recently Taught
CLAS 112
Roman History
CLAS 112
This course surveys the history of the ancient Romans from their early years as a negligible people in central Italy, to their emergence as the supreme power in the Mediterranean, and, finally, to the eve of their displacement as rulers of the greatest empire in antiquity. The course combines a chronological account of the Romans' remarkable political history with an examination of Roman society, including subjects such as gender, demography and slavery. We will read from a variety of ancient sources, including the historians Polybius, Livy and Tacitus and the poets Horace and Vergil. We also will mine the evidence offered by coins, inscriptions, papyri and even graffiti, which provide invaluable insight into the realia of daily life. No prerequisite. Offered every other year.
GREK 201
Intermediate Greek: Prose
GREK 201
The goal of this course is to cultivate students' skills as readers of continuous Greek prose. To this end, students will expand their vocabulary as well as review and refine their understanding of the morphology and syntax of Ancient Greek. Upon completing this course, students will read Greek prose with greater precision, nuance and speed. Authors read with some regularity in this course include Herodotus and Lysias; however, the particular text or texts will vary from year to year and may be complemented with a portion of a tragedy or comedy. Offered every fall.
GREK 301
Advanced Greek
GREK 301
Students will improve their skills in reading Greek and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read that semester. Each semester the readings change, so that GREK 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor in advance if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors taught in this course includes, to name just a few, the lyric poets; the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes; and great prose stylists such as Plato and Thucydides. Offered every fall.
GREK 302
Advanced Greek
GREK 302
Students will improve their skills in reading Greek and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read that semester. Each semester the readings change, so that GREK 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor in advance if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors taught in this course includes, to name just a few, the lyric poets; the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes; and great prose stylists such as Plato and Thucydides. Offered every spring.
LATN 101Y
Elementary Latin
LATN 101Y
Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. The study of Latin also enhances students' ability to think analytically and to use the English language with greater understanding and sophistication. The benefit of these skills extends far beyond the study of Latin to all areas of life that demand critical thinking or effective oral and written communication. The aim of this yearlong course is twofold: (1) to give students a thorough knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary employed by Roman writers of the second century BCE through the second century CE, and (2) to have students read increasingly unadapted passages from those writers. After completing this course, students will be prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil. Faithful attendance and timely completion of all work are essential to success in this course. There will be daily assignments to prepare and frequent written homework, including translations from English to Latin. Classroom work will focus on understanding and practicing grammar and on reading Latin. Students also will be introduced to the literary and cultural context of the readings. Progress will be assessed by regular tests and frequent quizzes. There also will be a three-hour final examination in May. This course presumes no prior study of Latin. Students enrolled in this course will be automatically added to LATN 102Y for the spring semester. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
LATN 102Y
Elementary Latin
LATN 102Y
Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. The study of Latin also enhances students' ability to think analytically and to use the English language with greater understanding and sophistication. The benefit of these skills extends far beyond the study of Latin to all areas of life that demand critical thinking or effective oral and written communication. The aim of this yearlong course is twofold: (1) to give students a thorough knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary employed by Roman writers of the second century BCE through the second century CE, and (2) to have students read increasingly unadapted passages from those writers. After completing this course, students will be prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil. Faithful attendance and timely completion of all work are essential to success in this course. There will be daily assignments to prepare and frequent written homework, including translations from English to Latin. Classroom work will focus on understanding and practicing grammar and on reading Latin. Students also will be introduced to the literary and cultural context of the readings. Progress will be assessed by regular tests and frequent quizzes. There also will be a three-hour final examination in May. This course presumes no prior study of Latin. No prerequisite. Offered every year.
LATN 202
Intermediate Latin: Vergil
LATN 202
Emphasis will be placed on improving reading efficiency through careful reading and translation of passages from Vergil's poetry. In addition, students will develop an appreciation of the often-subtle intricacies of Vergil's poetic language and the untranslatable music of his verse. Attention will be given both to understanding Vergil in his cultural and historical context and to exploring his continuing significance. Offered every spring.
LATN 302
Advanced Latin
LATN 302
In this course, students will improve their skills in reading Latin and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read during the semester. Each semester the readings change, so that LATN 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors regularly taught in this course includes, to name just a few, Horace and Ovid, the comic poet Plautus, and great prose stylists such as Livy, Tacitus, Petronius and Augustine. Offered every spring.