The Romans had a profound influence on the political and cultural history of the Mediterranean lands, particularly Europe. The languages, architectural styles, religions, and legal and political institutions of many countries are based on or were influenced by the Romans. This module provides an introduction to Roman history and society with particular attention to the establishment and fall of the Republic, the transformation of the state to monarchy under Augustus, and the later Roman Empire, the adoption of Christianity and the creation of the institutions of early Medieval Europe. Throughout the year, the module will focus on social and cultural values as well as political and military events, with detailed reference to contemporary historical sources such as poetry, history, letters and legal texts, and key architectural and artistic works.

• demonstrate a knowledge of key periods of Roman history from the foundation of the city, to the late Republic and early Principate, and the late Roman Empire.
• demonstrate a knowledge of a range of sources for ancient Roman history, including histories, poetry, speeches, inscriptions, and visual and archaeological evidence.
• analyse these sources and evaluate their reliability and significance.
• demonstrate an awareness of modern interpretations of Roman history, and an ability to develop their own ideas.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.
• work in a group to discuss these issues in an oral presentation, with appropriate visual aids.

20 lectures and 4 seminars; 8 study group meetings; independent study; optional practice essay; 1 or 2 coursework feedback sessions

The lectures provide an introduction to a particular topic, establishing the key points of major course themes, identifying important issues, and providing guidance for more in-depth reading. They aim to provide a basic framework for understanding, and should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Slides will be used to illustrate the material discussed.

The seminars enable students to develop their source criticism skills by analysing and discussing key primary sources for the period, including literary texts, inscriptions, images, artefacts and archaeological sites. During seminars students will practise constructing arguments and debates, and get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Handouts with material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the seminars.

In their study groups, students explore and discuss key resources, such as reference works, journals and websites, and important topics such as monuments, historiography and the reception of classical antiquity in the modern world. One study group meeting in each semester is devoted to preparing for the assessed oral presentation.

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for the major themes of the module.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work. The optional practice essay enables students to practise writing a university-level essay and get feedback and advice before submitting their summative coursework.

• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• oral presentation skills, including the preparation of effective supporting material such as PowerPoint and handouts
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• bibliographic and referencing skills
• team-working and contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management

The module will be assessed through a 2000-word essay (35%), a group presentation (15%), and an exam consisting of one essay question and one source criticism exercise, weighted 70:30 (50%). There is also an optional practice essay (2000 words).

The essay and exam questions will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and an awareness of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to ancient Roman history.

In the source criticism exercise that forms part of the exam, specific written or material sources relating to the history of the period will be set, and students will have to assess their significance, thus deploying their knowledge of the period and interpretations of it. The sources will be selected from the material discussed in the seminars.

The oral presentation will be written and delivered by study groups. Students will demonstrate their skills in public speaking, team-working and designing visual aids, as well as their knowledge and understanding of the period and of key sources of evidence.

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students who fail the module will normally be expected to resit the failed component(s) in the summer resit period.

• the establishment and workings of the Roman Republic in myth and reality, and the development of Rome as an ancient superpower
• the impact of the establishment of Empire on the politics, economy and society of later Republican Rome and the stresses that it caused
• the transition of the Roman state from oligarchy to monarchy under Augustus and the Julio-Claudian emperors
• the later Roman Empire and Christianisation of the ancient world
• gender and slavery, and attitudes towards women and slaves; religious change and the growth of Christianity; leisure and entertainment; art and architecture; social and cultural values
• the use of archaeology in understanding Roman history

R. Alston, Aspects of Roman History (1998)

G.W. Bowersock, P. Brown and O. Grabar (eds.),Late Antiquity: A Guide to the Postclassical World (1999)

K. Bringmann, A History of the Roman Republic (2007)

A. Cameron The Later Roman Empire (1993)

T. Cornell, The Beginnings of Rome (1995)

W. Eck, The Age of Augustus (2003)

H. Flower (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to the Roman Republic(2004)

P. Jones and K. Sidwell, The World of Rome: An Introduction to Roman Culture (1997)

D. Shotter, The Fall of the Roman Republic(2nd edition, 2005)

H. Swain and M. Everson Davies, Aspects of Roman History 82 BC–AD 14 (2010)

Primary sources:

Ammianus Marcellinus, History

Livy, Histories

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars

Tacitus, Annals

Virgil, Aeneid

See the module handout for the full reading list.