Roman History Ma
A.Y. 2025/2026
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
Republic and Principate in historiographical reflection during the imperial age
Part A: Livy and the history of the Roman Republic
The lessons in the first part of the course will be devoted to the reading and the historical and historiographical commentary of a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from Livy's Libri ab Urbe condita. Starting from Livy's text, some of the most significant political, institutional, economic, and social problems that marked the history of Rome until the advent of the principate will be analyzed.
Part B: Pliny the Elder and the history of Rome between the Republic and the Principate
Similar to Part A, Part B will be dedicated to the reading and historical and historiographical commentary of a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia, which contains numerous references to events and episodes in the history of Rome during the Republican and Imperial periods. The analysis will focus in particular on political and institutional issues.
Part C: Moments in the history of Republican and Imperial Rome in the historiographical reflections of Tacitus
Part C will focus on the reading and analysis of a series of passages by Tacitus and other contemporary authors, reflecting in particular on the end of the Republican era, the subsequent establishment of the principate, and the main characteristics of this new form of government.
Part A: Livy and the history of the Roman Republic
The lessons in the first part of the course will be devoted to the reading and the historical and historiographical commentary of a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from Livy's Libri ab Urbe condita. Starting from Livy's text, some of the most significant political, institutional, economic, and social problems that marked the history of Rome until the advent of the principate will be analyzed.
Part B: Pliny the Elder and the history of Rome between the Republic and the Principate
Similar to Part A, Part B will be dedicated to the reading and historical and historiographical commentary of a selection of passages (in Italian translation) from Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia, which contains numerous references to events and episodes in the history of Rome during the Republican and Imperial periods. The analysis will focus in particular on political and institutional issues.
Part C: Moments in the history of Republican and Imperial Rome in the historiographical reflections of Tacitus
Part C will focus on the reading and analysis of a series of passages by Tacitus and other contemporary authors, reflecting in particular on the end of the Republican era, the subsequent establishment of the principate, and the main characteristics of this new form of government.
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) For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: F. Russo, Storia di Roma antica. Dalla fondazione al 476 d.C., Pearson, Milano 2025. The handbook must be studied in its entirety.
For students who took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: G. Geraci - A. Marcone, Storia romana, Firenze, Le Monnier. Only the Editio maior. The Hanbook muast be studied entirely.
2) Lesson notes.
Part B
1) P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza.
2) 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) For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: F. Russo, Storia di Roma antica. Dalla fondazione al 476 d.C., Pearson, Milano 2025. The handbook must be studied in its entirety.
For students who took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: G. Ceraci - A. Marcone, Storia di Roma, Firenze, Le Monnier. Only the Editio maior. The handbook must be studied entirely.
2) A. Giardina, L'uomo romano, 5 chapters at student's choice.
Part B
1) G. Zecchini, Storia della storiografia romana, Laterza.
2) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci
Part C
1) M. Pani, Augusto e il principato, Il Mulino.
2) P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza
2) A. Schiavone, La storia spezzata. Roma antica e Occidente moderno, Einaudi.
Part A
1) For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: F. Russo, Storia di Roma antica. Dalla fondazione al 476 d.C., Pearson, Milano 2025. The handbook must be studied in its entirety.
For students who took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: G. Geraci - A. Marcone, Storia romana, Firenze, Le Monnier. Only the Editio maior. The Hanbook muast be studied entirely.
2) Lesson notes.
Part B
1) P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza.
2) 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) For students who did not take the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: F. Russo, Storia di Roma antica. Dalla fondazione al 476 d.C., Pearson, Milano 2025. The handbook must be studied in its entirety.
For students who took the exam of Roman History in the undergraduate program: G. Ceraci - A. Marcone, Storia di Roma, Firenze, Le Monnier. Only the Editio maior. The handbook must be studied entirely.
2) A. Giardina, L'uomo romano, 5 chapters at student's choice.
Part B
1) G. Zecchini, Storia della storiografia romana, Laterza.
2) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci
Part C
1) M. Pani, Augusto e il principato, Il Mulino.
2) P.A. Brunt, La caduta della Repubblica romana, Laterza
2) A. Schiavone, La storia spezzata. Roma antica e Occidente moderno, Einaudi.
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)