Roman History Ma
A.Y. 2026/2027
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
Republican Rome in ancient historiographical thought
Part A: Roman Historiography in Fragments (2nd-1st centuries BC)
Part A will examine a number of authors of Republican-era annalistic works (2nd-1st centuries BC), such as L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, G. Acilius, G. Fannius, Gn. Gellius, etc., known only through fragments. For each text, a historical and historiographical analysis will be presented, alongside an introductory overview of the respective author, with the ultimate aim of outlining the main characteristics of Republican-era historiography and how it presented and perceived the history of Rome during the last two centuries of the Republic, including a comparison with better-known authors such as Polybius and Livy.
Part B: Key moments in the history of Republican and Imperial Rome in Tacitus's historiographical reflection
Part B will focus on the reading and analysis of a series of passages by Tacitus in which he reflects on the evolution of Republican Roman history up to the advent of the Principate, with particular attention to institutional and political dynamics.
Part A: Roman Historiography in Fragments (2nd-1st centuries BC)
Part A will examine a number of authors of Republican-era annalistic works (2nd-1st centuries BC), such as L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, G. Acilius, G. Fannius, Gn. Gellius, etc., known only through fragments. For each text, a historical and historiographical analysis will be presented, alongside an introductory overview of the respective author, with the ultimate aim of outlining the main characteristics of Republican-era historiography and how it presented and perceived the history of Rome during the last two centuries of the Republic, including a comparison with better-known authors such as Polybius and Livy.
Part B: Key moments in the history of Republican and Imperial Rome in Tacitus's historiographical reflection
Part B will focus on the reading and analysis of a series of passages by Tacitus in which he reflects on the evolution of Republican Roman history up to the advent of the Principate, with particular attention to institutional and political dynamics.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The course will be offered in a lecture format (Alfa). 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: F. Jacques. J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza.
2) Lesson notes.
Part B
1) F. Russo, Studi su Tacito e le istituzioni di Roma repubblicana, EUM 2026 (free download from the EUM website).
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: F. Jacques. J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza.
2) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci.
Part B
1) G. Zecchini, Storia della storiografia romana, Laterza.
2) F. Russo, Studi su Tacito e le istituzioni di Roma repubblicana, EUM 2026 (free download from the EUM website).
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: F. Jacques. J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza.
2) Lesson notes.
Part B
1) F. Russo, Studi su Tacito e le istituzioni di Roma repubblicana, EUM 2026 (free download from the EUM website).
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: F. Jacques. J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza.
2) A. Marcone, Sallustio, Carocci.
Part B
1) G. Zecchini, Storia della storiografia romana, Laterza.
2) F. Russo, Studi su Tacito e le istituzioni di Roma repubblicana, EUM 2026 (free download from the EUM website).
Assessment methods and Criteria
La prova orale consiste di un colloquio sugli argomenti indicati nel programma, volta ad accertare la conoscenza approfondita della bibliografia indicata per le singole unità didattiche.
Si valuterà, in particolare, la capacità di inquadrare correttamente ed entro un discorso coerente e logico temi, problemi, eventi e personaggi della storia di Roma. Gli studenti frequentanti sono tenuti a conoscere approfonditamente gli argomenti trattati a lezione.
Si valuterà, in particolare, la capacità di inquadrare correttamente ed entro un discorso coerente e logico temi, problemi, eventi e personaggi della storia di Roma. Gli studenti frequentanti sono tenuti a conoscere approfonditamente gli argomenti trattati a lezione.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Russo Federico
Part C
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)