Roman History
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with an exhaustive comprehension of the development of the history of ancient Rome from its foundation to the fall of the Empire, by focusing especially on political, institutional and socio-economical problems.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course students are expected to be able to frame the most important and significant figures and facts of the history of ancient Rome in their related chronological and geographical contexts. Furthermore, students should be capable of conveying historical information in a clear and effective way, by employing appropriate linguistic instruments such as adequate language and specific 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
(Lettere, Filosofia)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is organized into three 20-hour units, A, B and C.
Unit A will start with an introduction to the ancient evidence - literary, epigraphical and archaeological sources - which are normally employed for the reconstruction of the history of Rome. Special attention will be paid to historiographical traditions, which will be outlined by references to the most important ancient historians. Thereafter, following a brief excursus devoted to the mythical origins of Rome, the course will treat the monarchic age of Rome, by focusing on the most relevant facts and figures of that period. After outlining the Etruscan period of Rome, the course will proceed to analyse the most relevant themes regarding the fall of the monarchy and the subsequent birth of the Republican state.
Following this part, a section of the unit will be devoted to a short detailed introduction to the principal Roman political and administrative institutions and figures, such as magistrates, assemblies, etc., which will help students better comprehend the development of the history of the city.
Afterwards, the course will focus on the period from the 5th century BC to the Hannibalic war, by paying a special attention to the following themes:
· The patrician-plebeian conflict and the emergence of the nobilitas.
· Early Roman expansionism in Latium and central Italy.
· Relationships between Rome and the Latin League.
· The Samnitic Wars.
· Pyrrhus' campaign in Italy and Sicily and the prodromes of the First Punic War.
· Roman expansionism in southern Italy.
· The First Punic War.
· The Second Punic War and its consequences on Roman expansionistic strategy in the Italian peninsula.
· Roman expansionism outside Italy, especially in Iberia.
· The creation of the first provinces and the implementation of the first administrative measures to manage newly incorporated territories.
· The development of the political clash in Rome between 3rd and 2nd century BC.
· A modern historiographical pattern to interpret Roman expansionism: the concept of Romanization.
Whilst studying the early stages of Roman expansionism in central Italy, particular attention will be paid to describing the main administrative tools that Rome employed to control its new territory, such as strategy of colonization, pacts, foedera, etc.
Unit B will be devoted to the analysis of the main events of the history of Rome between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD, by especially focusing on the international role that Rome progressively took on in the Mediterranean area.
Among the most significant facts of the period under analysis, the course will delve into the following themes:
· Early diplomatic-political contacts between Rome and Greek communities.
· Early diplomatic-political contacts between Rome and Hellenistic kingdoms: the Macedonian Wars and the Syrian War.
· Consequences of Roman expansionism: the agrarian crisis and Ti. Gracchus' and C. Gracchus' reforms.
· The emergence of C. Marius and the reform of the Roman army.
· Relationships between Rome and Italic communities until, during and after the Social War.
· The civil wars and Sulla's reform of the Roman state.
· The development of political life in Rome from the first triumvirate to Caesar's death.
· Octavianus' emergence and the foundation of the principate.
· Main characteristics of the Augustan principate: political reforms, new cultural impulses, further expansionism of the Roman empire.
· Main aspects of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Unit C will start by introducing the main characteristics of the Flavian dynasty, followed by a presentation of the main events which regarded the history of Rome until Trajan's principate. Thereafter, the course will take on a monographic perspective and will focus on the reading of a selection of excerpts from the Life of Agricola of Tacitus. The analysis of the text, which will be read in translation, will allow students on the one hand, to explore major phases of Roman expansionism during the Imperial age, on the other hand to delve into Tacitus' reflection on the very nature of the Empire and its legitimation.
Unit A will start with an introduction to the ancient evidence - literary, epigraphical and archaeological sources - which are normally employed for the reconstruction of the history of Rome. Special attention will be paid to historiographical traditions, which will be outlined by references to the most important ancient historians. Thereafter, following a brief excursus devoted to the mythical origins of Rome, the course will treat the monarchic age of Rome, by focusing on the most relevant facts and figures of that period. After outlining the Etruscan period of Rome, the course will proceed to analyse the most relevant themes regarding the fall of the monarchy and the subsequent birth of the Republican state.
Following this part, a section of the unit will be devoted to a short detailed introduction to the principal Roman political and administrative institutions and figures, such as magistrates, assemblies, etc., which will help students better comprehend the development of the history of the city.
Afterwards, the course will focus on the period from the 5th century BC to the Hannibalic war, by paying a special attention to the following themes:
· The patrician-plebeian conflict and the emergence of the nobilitas.
· Early Roman expansionism in Latium and central Italy.
· Relationships between Rome and the Latin League.
· The Samnitic Wars.
· Pyrrhus' campaign in Italy and Sicily and the prodromes of the First Punic War.
· Roman expansionism in southern Italy.
· The First Punic War.
· The Second Punic War and its consequences on Roman expansionistic strategy in the Italian peninsula.
· Roman expansionism outside Italy, especially in Iberia.
· The creation of the first provinces and the implementation of the first administrative measures to manage newly incorporated territories.
· The development of the political clash in Rome between 3rd and 2nd century BC.
· A modern historiographical pattern to interpret Roman expansionism: the concept of Romanization.
Whilst studying the early stages of Roman expansionism in central Italy, particular attention will be paid to describing the main administrative tools that Rome employed to control its new territory, such as strategy of colonization, pacts, foedera, etc.
Unit B will be devoted to the analysis of the main events of the history of Rome between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD, by especially focusing on the international role that Rome progressively took on in the Mediterranean area.
Among the most significant facts of the period under analysis, the course will delve into the following themes:
· Early diplomatic-political contacts between Rome and Greek communities.
· Early diplomatic-political contacts between Rome and Hellenistic kingdoms: the Macedonian Wars and the Syrian War.
· Consequences of Roman expansionism: the agrarian crisis and Ti. Gracchus' and C. Gracchus' reforms.
· The emergence of C. Marius and the reform of the Roman army.
· Relationships between Rome and Italic communities until, during and after the Social War.
· The civil wars and Sulla's reform of the Roman state.
· The development of political life in Rome from the first triumvirate to Caesar's death.
· Octavianus' emergence and the foundation of the principate.
· Main characteristics of the Augustan principate: political reforms, new cultural impulses, further expansionism of the Roman empire.
· Main aspects of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Unit C will start by introducing the main characteristics of the Flavian dynasty, followed by a presentation of the main events which regarded the history of Rome until Trajan's principate. Thereafter, the course will take on a monographic perspective and will focus on the reading of a selection of excerpts from the Life of Agricola of Tacitus. The analysis of the text, which will be read in translation, will allow students on the one hand, to explore major phases of Roman expansionism during the Imperial age, on the other hand to delve into Tacitus' reflection on the very nature of the Empire and its legitimation.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The course will be offered in a lecture format. Each lecture will feature the use of slides, which will contribute to a better illustration of the treated themes, thanks to schemes, geographical maps, reproductions of inscriptions, archaeological materials and excerpts from ancient literary sources (in translation). The slides containing literary sources will be uploaded on the platform Ariel and will be the subject of questions during the final exam (only for attending students).
During the course special attention will be paid to the utilization of specific (technical) vocabulary, so that students can learn to use it in an appropriate way when describing, for example, the political institutions of Rome.
Should students have doubts on the treated themes, they are encouraged to ask questions during and after the lectures.
Attending students are encouraged to attend lectures on a regular basis, as during the course themes will be treated that are not available in the suggested bibliography. This does not apply to non-attending students: they will find additional material in the supplementary bibliographical references.
During the course special attention will be paid to the utilization of specific (technical) vocabulary, so that students can learn to use it in an appropriate way when describing, for example, the political institutions of Rome.
Should students have doubts on the treated themes, they are encouraged to ask questions during and after the lectures.
Attending students are encouraged to attend lectures on a regular basis, as during the course themes will be treated that are not available in the suggested bibliography. This does not apply to non-attending students: they will find additional material in the supplementary bibliographical references.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical references for attending students:
Unit A:
Manuale: G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Il Mulino.
Unit B:
C. Letta, S. Segenni (a cura di), Roma e le sue province. Dalla prima guerra punica a Diocleziano, Carocci.
Unit C:
1) P. Cornelio Tacito, Vita di Agricola-La Germania, Bur (only Vita di Agricola).
2) Cl. Nicolet, Il mestiere di cittadino nell'antica Roma, Editori Riuniti Univ. Press.
Attending students aiming to take the 6 credits exam must attend Unit A and Unit B, study the related lectures notes, texts (available on the Ariel platform) and bibliographical material for Units A and B.
Attending students that will take the 6 credits exam are exonerated from attending Unit C and from studying the related material
Attending students who will take the 9 credits exam must attend Units A, B and C, and study the related lecture notes, texts (available on Ariel) and bibliographical material for the Units A, B and C.
Bibliographical indications for non-attending students:
Unit A:
1) G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Il Mulino.
2) M. Manca, F. Rohr Vio, Introduzione alla storiografia romana, Carocci.
Unit B:
1) C. Letta, S. Segenni (a cura di), Roma e le sue province. Dalla prima guerra punica a Diocleziano, Carocci.
2) G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il Mulino.
Unit C:
1) Cl. Nicolet, Il mestiere di cittadino nell'antica Roma, Editori Riuniti Univ. Press.
2) One book at student's choiche among the following titles:
- P. Buongiorno, Claudio. Il principe inatteso, 21 Editore.
- A. Eich, L'età dei Cesari. Le legioni e l'impero, Einaudi.
- L. Fezzi, Pompeo, Salerno ed.
- J. Fündling, Marco Aurelio, Salerno ed.
- F. Jacques, J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza.
- A. Marcone, Augusto, Salerno ed.
- A. Marcone, Giuliano. L'imperatore filosofo e sacerdote che tentò la restaurazione del paganesimo, Salerno ed.
- U. Roberto, Diocleziano, Salerno ed.
- U. Roberto, Il nemico indomabile. Roma contro i Germani, Laterza.
Non-attending students planning to take the 6 credits exam must study the bibliographical material for Units A and B.
Not attending students that will take the 9 credits exam must study the bibliographical material for Units A, B and C.
Unit A:
Manuale: G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Il Mulino.
Unit B:
C. Letta, S. Segenni (a cura di), Roma e le sue province. Dalla prima guerra punica a Diocleziano, Carocci.
Unit C:
1) P. Cornelio Tacito, Vita di Agricola-La Germania, Bur (only Vita di Agricola).
2) Cl. Nicolet, Il mestiere di cittadino nell'antica Roma, Editori Riuniti Univ. Press.
Attending students aiming to take the 6 credits exam must attend Unit A and Unit B, study the related lectures notes, texts (available on the Ariel platform) and bibliographical material for Units A and B.
Attending students that will take the 6 credits exam are exonerated from attending Unit C and from studying the related material
Attending students who will take the 9 credits exam must attend Units A, B and C, and study the related lecture notes, texts (available on Ariel) and bibliographical material for the Units A, B and C.
Bibliographical indications for non-attending students:
Unit A:
1) G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Il Mulino.
2) M. Manca, F. Rohr Vio, Introduzione alla storiografia romana, Carocci.
Unit B:
1) C. Letta, S. Segenni (a cura di), Roma e le sue province. Dalla prima guerra punica a Diocleziano, Carocci.
2) G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il Mulino.
Unit C:
1) Cl. Nicolet, Il mestiere di cittadino nell'antica Roma, Editori Riuniti Univ. Press.
2) One book at student's choiche among the following titles:
- P. Buongiorno, Claudio. Il principe inatteso, 21 Editore.
- A. Eich, L'età dei Cesari. Le legioni e l'impero, Einaudi.
- L. Fezzi, Pompeo, Salerno ed.
- J. Fündling, Marco Aurelio, Salerno ed.
- F. Jacques, J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza.
- A. Marcone, Augusto, Salerno ed.
- A. Marcone, Giuliano. L'imperatore filosofo e sacerdote che tentò la restaurazione del paganesimo, Salerno ed.
- U. Roberto, Diocleziano, Salerno ed.
- U. Roberto, Il nemico indomabile. Roma contro i Germani, Laterza.
Non-attending students planning to take the 6 credits exam must study the bibliographical material for Units A and B.
Not attending students that will take the 9 credits exam must study the bibliographical material for Units A, B and C.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment will consist of an oral examination, in which students will be evaluated as to the knowledge and the competencies they acquired during the course and in the subsequent preparation for the exam.
On the one hand, it will be assessed, by means of a series of questions related to different periods of the history of Rome, to what extent students are able to correctly frame facts and figures into their historical contexts; in this respect, students are expected to have acquired precise and detailed knowledge of the most relevant themes of Roman history as well as of specific episodes and problems of a political-institutional nature.
On the other hand, students are expected to organize a coherent and logical discourse, in which they should present themes and problems of Roman history with correct historical, chronological and geographical references, and by means of appropriate (also technical) vocabulary.
Attending students will also be asked to read and comment one of the texts (excerpts from ancient sources, in translation) that have been shown during the course (and made available on Ariel).
Attending students taking the 6 credits exam will be examined on the lecture notes, on the texts and on the bibliographical material of Units A and B.
Attending students taking the 9 credits exam will be examined on the lecture notes, on the texts and on the bibliographical material of Units A, B and C.
Non-attending students taking the 6 credits exam will be examined on the bibliographical material of Units A and B.
Non-attending students taking the 9 credits exam will be examined on the bibliographical material of Units A, B and C.
On the one hand, it will be assessed, by means of a series of questions related to different periods of the history of Rome, to what extent students are able to correctly frame facts and figures into their historical contexts; in this respect, students are expected to have acquired precise and detailed knowledge of the most relevant themes of Roman history as well as of specific episodes and problems of a political-institutional nature.
On the other hand, students are expected to organize a coherent and logical discourse, in which they should present themes and problems of Roman history with correct historical, chronological and geographical references, and by means of appropriate (also technical) vocabulary.
Attending students will also be asked to read and comment one of the texts (excerpts from ancient sources, in translation) that have been shown during the course (and made available on Ariel).
Attending students taking the 6 credits exam will be examined on the lecture notes, on the texts and on the bibliographical material of Units A and B.
Attending students taking the 9 credits exam will be examined on the lecture notes, on the texts and on the bibliographical material of Units A, B and C.
Non-attending students taking the 6 credits exam will be examined on the bibliographical material of Units A and B.
Non-attending students taking the 9 credits exam will be examined on the bibliographical material of Units A, B and C.
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)