The history of the later Roman Empire is marked by rapid and dramatic change: the revolution in the position of Christianity in the empire, from persecuted cult to state religion; the ‘barbarian invasions’ of the fourth and fifth centuries, and the establishment of barbarian kingdoms within the territory of the Roman Empire; the decline of Rome, but the emergence of vibrant new power centres, such as Constantinople; the splitting of the empire into two halves (East and West), and the collapse of the latter. The period has traditionally been characterised as ‘the decline and fall of the Roman empire’, but this module reflects and considers the more recent view that the period was one of transformation, witnessing the metamorphosis of the world of antiquity into the medieval world, though the idea of decline is now reviving. In addition to considering the political, social and cultural transformations of the period, the module also devotes attention to the famous architects of these transformations, such as Constantine the Great, Attila the Hun and Justinian I. The module draws on, and discusses the nature of, the rich source material for the period: classicising histories, church histories, chronicles, court panegyrics and polemics, letter collections, legislation, inscriptions, art and archaeology.

• display a knowledge of the main events and developments of the period from the accession of Diocletian in AD 284 to the overthrow of Maurice in AD 602.
• analyse critically the historical sources for the period, such as the letters of Sidonius Apollinaris, Cassiodorus’ Variae, the works of Procopius, and other literary, visual, archaeological and documentary material.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern debates about and interpretations of the period.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

30 lectures and 6 seminars; independent study; 2 coursework feedback tutorials

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. Handouts and, where appropriate, slides, are used to illustrate the material discussed.

The seminars provide an opportunity for students to analyse and discuss key issues and topics in the module, and to 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.

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 major themes and lecture topics.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• 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
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• bibliographic and referencing skills
• 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 class test (15%), and an exam consisting of two essay questions (50%).

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 the later Roman Empire.

The class test is divided into factual questions and a source criticism exercise. The factual questions test students’ knowledge and understanding of the period. In the source criticism exercise, specific written or material sources relating to the later Roman Empire will be set, and students will be required to explain how they illuminate our understanding of the period, thus deploying their knowledge of later Roman history and interpretations of the material. The sources will be selected from the material discussed in lectures and seminars.

Type of assessment = CT

% Contribution = 15

Title = Class test

Duration = 45 minutes
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = Autumn semester

Type of assessment = CW

% Contribution = 35

Title = Coursework  - essay

Duration = 
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = Spring semester

Type of assessment = EXSP

% Contribution = 50

Title = The Later Roman Empire, A.D. 284–602

Duration = 2 hours
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = Spring semester

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 sources for the period
• the revival of the Empire under Diocletian
• the rise of Constantine and his policy towards Christianity
• the foundation and development of Constantinople
• the growth of Christianity and the Church in the fourth century
• the nature of later Roman society
• the rise and role of court eunuchs in the later Roman Empire
• the cities of the later Roman Empire
• the development of monasticism
• the dynasty of Valentinian
• the battle of Adrianople (378) and its consequences
• the Theodosian dynasty
• the division of the empire into East and West, and the relations between the two
• the ‘barbarian invasions’ and the Roman response
• Alaric and the sack of Rome (410)
• the nature of the later Roman army
• the rise of Ravenna
• the formation of the barbarian kingdoms
• Attila and the Huns
• the ‘fall’ of the western Roman Empire (476)
• Theodoric and the Ostrogothic kingdom of Italy
• the rise of Justinian I
• the reforms and legislation of Justinian
• the Nika Riot (532)
• the building of Hagia Sophia
• the Persian empire
• the reconquest of the West
• the empress Theodora
• theological debates of the period
• Justinian and his legacy
• the successors of Justinian

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sources

Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae (Penguin, The Later Roman Empire)

P. Brown, The World of Late Antiquity, AD 150–750 (1971)

Cambridge Ancient History vol. 12, The Crisis of Empire, A.D. 193–337 (second edition, 2005)

Cambridge Ancient History vol. 13, The Late Empire, A.D. 337–425 (1998)

Cambridge Ancient History vol. 14, Late Antiquity: Empire and Successors A.D. 425–600 (2000)

A. Cameron, The Later Roman Empire (1993)

A. Cameron, The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity (1993; second edition 2012)

J. Harries, Imperial Rome AD 284 to 363: The New Empire (2012)

P. Heather, Fall of the Roman Empire (2005)

A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire (1964)

A.D. Lee, From Rome to Byzantium AD 363 to 565. The Transformation of Ancient Rome (2013)

S. Mitchell, A History of the Later Roman Empire AD 284–641 (2007)

J. Moorhead, The Roman Empire Divided 400–700 (2001; second edition 2013)

J.J. O’Donnell, The Ruin of the Roman Empire (2009)

B. Ward-Perkins, The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization (2005)

See the module handout for the full reading list.