Roman History Ma
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims at strengthening and increasing students' knowledge 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
Upon successful completion of the course and thanks to the analysis of ancient sources students are 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: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course
The Crisis of the Roman Republic (60 hours; 9 cfu)
Unit A: (20 hours; 3 cfu): The crisis of the Roman Republic: Themes and Problems.
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Cicero and the Crisis of the Republic: Reading and analysis of the Speech Pro Rabio Postumo.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The Second Triumvirate.
The course is organized into three didactic units.
Unit A will concentrates on the analysis of the causes which brought about the crisis of the Republican system and the related contemporary debate. By delving into Tacitus, Annales, III, 27, which outlines the events of the last two centuries of the Republic, we will focus on the dynamics and contrasts which arose between senate and popular assemblies.
Unit B will dwell on some aspects of the crisis of Republican institutions in the examined period, with special reference to the administration of the provinces and the relationship between Rom and client-reigns. The reading of Cicero's Pro Rabirio Postumo, which revolves around the "Egyptian problem", will offer a new perspective on the political trials of the period.
Unit C will be devoted to the institution of the second triumvirate, to the prerogatives of the triumviri, to the most significant events of this period (such as proscriptions and confiscations) and to the conflict between the triumviri (with special reference to Antony's propaganda against Octavianus), culminating in the Battle of Actium and the subsequent establishment of the Principate by Octavianus Augustus.
The Crisis of the Roman Republic (60 hours; 9 cfu)
Unit A: (20 hours; 3 cfu): The crisis of the Roman Republic: Themes and Problems.
Unit B (20 hours; 3 cfu): Cicero and the Crisis of the Republic: Reading and analysis of the Speech Pro Rabio Postumo.
Unit C (20 hours; 3 cfu): The Second Triumvirate.
The course is organized into three didactic units.
Unit A will concentrates on the analysis of the causes which brought about the crisis of the Republican system and the related contemporary debate. By delving into Tacitus, Annales, III, 27, which outlines the events of the last two centuries of the Republic, we will focus on the dynamics and contrasts which arose between senate and popular assemblies.
Unit B will dwell on some aspects of the crisis of Republican institutions in the examined period, with special reference to the administration of the provinces and the relationship between Rom and client-reigns. The reading of Cicero's Pro Rabirio Postumo, which revolves around the "Egyptian problem", will offer a new perspective on the political trials of the period.
Unit C will be devoted to the institution of the second triumvirate, to the prerogatives of the triumviri, to the most significant events of this period (such as proscriptions and confiscations) and to the conflict between the triumviri (with special reference to Antony's propaganda against Octavianus), culminating in the Battle of Actium and the subsequent establishment of the Principate by Octavianus Augustus.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The course will be offered in a lecture format. Each lecture will be devoted to the analysis of texts (for instance Cicero's Pro Rabirio Postumo) and of passages from ancient - historiographical - sources; the most significant of them will be uploaded on the Ariel platform ad made available to students. The course aims, on the one hand, to offer a broad presentation of the institutional and political problems leading to the crisis of the Republic, and, on the other hand, 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.
Students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and to convey their own observations on the themes under examination.
Furthermore, scholars from other universities will be invited to contribute to the course, with a view to offering different views on the themes discussed in class and thus further stimulating the reflection on the crisis of the Roman republic.
Students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and to convey their own observations on the themes under examination.
Furthermore, scholars from other universities will be invited to contribute to the course, with a view to offering different views on the themes discussed in class and thus further stimulating the reflection on the crisis of the Roman republic.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical references for attending students:
Unit 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:
E. Gabba et alii, Introduzione alla Storia di Roma, Led (pp. 11-170; pp. 233-445)
Unit B
E. Narducci, Introduzione a Cicerone; Editori Laterza
Cicero, Pro Rabirio Postumo
Unit C
R. Cristofoli, F. Rohr Vio, A. Galimberti, Dalla repubblica al principato, Carocci.
Bibliographical indications for non-attending students:
Unit 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 having taken the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme:
E. Gabba et alii, Introduzione alla Storia di Roma, Led (pp. 11-170; pp. 233-445)
Unit B
1) E. Narducci, Introduzione a Cicerone; Editori Laterza
Cicero, Pro Rabirio Postumo
2) One of the following books:
L. Fezzi, Pompeo, Salerno
L. Fezzi, Il dado è tratto. Cesare e la resa di Roma, Laterza
Unit C
1) R. Cristofoli, F. Rohr Vio, A. Galimberti, Dalla repubblica al principato, Carocci.
2) One of the following books:
P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza.
L. Canfora, Giulio Cesare. Il dittatore democratico, Laterza.
R. Syme, La rivoluzione romana, Einaudi (not the whole book, but only the chapters which will be suggested by the teacher)
Unit 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:
E. Gabba et alii, Introduzione alla Storia di Roma, Led (pp. 11-170; pp. 233-445)
Unit B
E. Narducci, Introduzione a Cicerone; Editori Laterza
Cicero, Pro Rabirio Postumo
Unit C
R. Cristofoli, F. Rohr Vio, A. Galimberti, Dalla repubblica al principato, Carocci.
Bibliographical indications for non-attending students:
Unit 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 having taken the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate programme:
E. Gabba et alii, Introduzione alla Storia di Roma, Led (pp. 11-170; pp. 233-445)
Unit B
1) E. Narducci, Introduzione a Cicerone; Editori Laterza
Cicero, Pro Rabirio Postumo
2) One of the following books:
L. Fezzi, Pompeo, Salerno
L. Fezzi, Il dado è tratto. Cesare e la resa di Roma, Laterza
Unit C
1) R. Cristofoli, F. Rohr Vio, A. Galimberti, Dalla repubblica al principato, Carocci.
2) One of the following books:
P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza.
L. Canfora, Giulio Cesare. Il dittatore democratico, Laterza.
R. Syme, La rivoluzione romana, Einaudi (not the whole book, but only the chapters which will be suggested by the teacher)
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 handbook and of the other suggested texts. Moreover, 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)