Roman History Ma
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at strengthening and increasing students' preparation of the history of ancient Rome by focusing on the most significant periods and moments of Roman history and thanks to the analysis of ancient historiographical and epigraphical sources.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: upon successful completion of the course the students will acquire a detailed knowledge of the history of ancient Rome.
Skills: thanks to the analysis of ancient sources, the students are also expected to acquire critical and methodological instruments useful to the reconstruction and interpretation of the most meaningful moments of the history of Rome. They are also expected to develop analytical and critical abilities as to problems of a historiographical nature as well as adequate language and appropriate related vocabulary.
Skills: thanks to the analysis of ancient sources, the students are also expected to acquire critical and methodological instruments useful to the reconstruction and interpretation of the most meaningful moments of the history of Rome. They are also expected to develop analytical and critical abilities as to problems of a historiographical nature as well as adequate language and appropriate related vocabulary.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is structured in three Parts of 20 hours each, A, B and C.
Part A: The republican age in sallustian historiography.
In the first part of the course the lectures will be devoted to reading and historical and historiographical commentary on a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from the works of the historian Sallust, the Bellum Iugurthinum the Bellum Catilinae and the Historiae. Starting with the Sallustian text, some of the most significant political, institutional, economic and social problems that marked the history of Rome beginning until the fall of the Republic will be analyzed.
Part B: Reflections on the republican period in the work of Tacitus.
With an approach similar to that adopted in Part A, Part B will be devoted to the reading and historical and historiographical commentary of a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from Tacitus' work (Historiae, Annales, Germania, Agricola), in which the ancient historian recalls certain specific, institutional, political, economic and social aspects of the republican period of Rome's history.
Part C: The advent of the principate in the work of Tacitus and other authors of the early imperial age
Part C will focus on the reading and analysis of a series of passages by Tacitus and other authors contemporary with him (Pliny, Suetonius, etc.) in which the institution of the principate and the main peculiarities of this form of government are particularly are objects of reflection.
Part A: The republican age in sallustian historiography.
In the first part of the course the lectures will be devoted to reading and historical and historiographical commentary on a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from the works of the historian Sallust, the Bellum Iugurthinum the Bellum Catilinae and the Historiae. Starting with the Sallustian text, some of the most significant political, institutional, economic and social problems that marked the history of Rome beginning until the fall of the Republic will be analyzed.
Part B: Reflections on the republican period in the work of Tacitus.
With an approach similar to that adopted in Part A, Part B will be devoted to the reading and historical and historiographical commentary of a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from Tacitus' work (Historiae, Annales, Germania, Agricola), in which the ancient historian recalls certain specific, institutional, political, economic and social aspects of the republican period of Rome's history.
Part C: The advent of the principate in the work of Tacitus and other authors of the early imperial age
Part C will focus on the reading and analysis of a series of passages by Tacitus and other authors contemporary with him (Pliny, Suetonius, etc.) in which the institution of the principate and the main peculiarities of this form of government are particularly are objects of reflection.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
During the course a selection of excerpts from ancient historians and authors will be analysed, which will be made available on Ariel. On the one hand, the course will offer a wide knowledge of the political and historical issues that characterized the history of Rome during the Republic and the Imperial period; on the other hand, it aims to stimulate and to encourage independent critical reflection and debate on the examined questions, by focusing on issues and themes that arise from the analysis of ancient sources.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical references for attending students:
Part A
1) Handbook:
For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia Romana. Editio maior. Le Monnier (entire book)
For students who already took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: L. Capogrossi Colognesi, Storia di Roma tra diritto e potere, Il Mulino.
2) Lesson notes
Part A
1) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci
3) Lesson notes
Part C
1) M. Pani, Augusto e il principato, Il Mulino.
2) Lesson notes
Bibliographical references for not attending students:
Part A
1) Handbook:
For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia Romana. Editio maior. Le Monnier (entire book)
For students who already took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: . Capogrossi Colognesi, Storia di Roma tra diritto e potere, Il Mulino.
2) A. Giardina, L'uomo romano, 5 chapters at students' choce.
Part B
1) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci.
2) P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza.
Part C
1) M. Pani, Augusto e il principato, Il Mulino.
2) F. Jacques, J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza
Part A
1) Handbook:
For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia Romana. Editio maior. Le Monnier (entire book)
For students who already took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: L. Capogrossi Colognesi, Storia di Roma tra diritto e potere, Il Mulino.
2) Lesson notes
Part A
1) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci
3) Lesson notes
Part C
1) M. Pani, Augusto e il principato, Il Mulino.
2) Lesson notes
Bibliographical references for not attending students:
Part A
1) Handbook:
For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia Romana. Editio maior. Le Monnier (entire book)
For students who already took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme: . Capogrossi Colognesi, Storia di Roma tra diritto e potere, Il Mulino.
2) A. Giardina, L'uomo romano, 5 chapters at students' choce.
Part B
1) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci.
2) P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza.
Part C
1) M. Pani, Augusto e il principato, Il Mulino.
2) F. Jacques, J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final test will consist of an oral examination, in which students will be assessed with regard to knowledge of the suggested texts. The capacity of framing events, themes and figures of the history of Rome into a coherent discourse will be especially assessed. Attending students are expected to thoroughly know the themes that will be treated during the course.
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)