This module provides an opportunity to study what it was like to live in the city of Rome in the late Republic and early Empire, for both rich and poor. The module covers topics such as how the city was administered, ‘Bread and Circuses’, the various forms of leisure activity, and more ‘down to earth’ subjects such as the quality of housing, the water supply and other urban amenities. Students will be encouraged to study the importance of social institutions in public and private life, and the changes that occurred from Republic to Empire.

• demonstrate a knowledge of the documentary and archaeological evidence relating to the administration of the city of Rome and the everyday life of all social classes in late Republican and early Imperial Rome, and the ability to apply that evidence critically to construct arguments.
• demonstrate a understanding of modern views and interpretations of life in the city of Rome.
• demonstrate an understanding of various issues, and the use of primary evidence to evaluate them, in particular:
  • how the city of Rome was administered in this period;
  • the social and economic conditions of Rome in this period;
  • the importance of various leisure and social activities and their relationship to public and private life.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

10 lectures and 2 seminars; independent study

The lectures present an outline of the archaeological and literary evidence for life in the city of Rome in the late Republic and early Imperial periods, and provide a framework for the interpretation of that evidence by introducing the major approaches and debates that have shaped research into the subject. They should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Slides and, where appropriate, handouts 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.

• analysis of a variety of different types of evidence, such as literary texts and material evidence
• observation and visual analysis
• 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
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management

The module will be assessed through an exam consisting of one essay question and one source analysis exercise, weighted 70:30 (100%).

The essay question will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and critical understanding of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to the life in the city of Rome in the late Republic and early Imperial periods.

In the source analysis exercise, specific written or material sources relating to life in the city of Rome will be set, and students will be required to evaluate how this evidence can be used to help our understanding of the lives of the city’s inhabitants, thus deploying their knowledge of the period and interpretations of the material.

Type of assessment = EXAU

% Contribution = 100

Title = Life in Ancient Rome

Duration = 1.5hrs
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment = autumn 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.

• how the city of Rome was administered and the provision of public amenities; the effectiveness of this provision; the grain supply; law and order
• housing in Rome and the use of comparative evidence from Pompeii and Ostia
• employment, pay and conditions for the urban plebs and elite attitudes to artisan and plebeian employment
• leisure activities and the role of public entertainments
• life expectancy, death and burial; attitudes to death.

J.A. Shelton, As the Romans Did (1998)

Martial, Epigrams, de Spectaculis

Juvenal, The Sixteen Satires (Penguin)

Pliny, The Letters of the Younger Pliny

J. Coulston and H.Dodge (eds.), Ancient Rome : the archaeology of the Eternal City, 2000

H. Dodge, Spectacle in the Roman World (2010)

M. Harlow and R. Laurence, Growing Up and Growing Old in Ancient Rome: A Life Course Approach (2002)

D.S. Potter and D.J. Mattingly (eds.), Life, Death and Entertainment in the Roman Empire (1999)

O.F. Robinson, Ancient Rome: City Planning and Administration (1992)

See the module handout for the full reading list.