Not currently offered
Course code

AHIS3221

Units

10 units

Level

3000 level

Course handbook

Description

Students will study aspects of the rule of the Roman emperors from the Julio-Claudian to the end of the Severan Dynasty. There will be a critical examination of scholarly trends, a focus on thematic questions such institutional transformation, authority and legitimacy, and Roman identity. Students will examine a variety of evidence for the period in depth: including literary, documentary, numismatic, epigraphic, art historical and monumental.


Availability

Not currently offered.

This Course was last offered in Semester 2 - 2023.


Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss early imperial Rome by isolating the most important sources on the Julio-Claudians, both literary and non-literary.

2. Evaluate the strengths and the limitations of all types of evidence, in particular because of the biased and fragmentary nature of ancient sources.

3. Analyse the culture of Early Imperial Rome, seeing its differences and similarities to other cultural and political models, both ancient and modern.

4. Construct arguments that evince criticisms succinctly and accurately.


Content

  • The emergence of the Principate
  • Legitimacy and Imperial media: communicating power to the masses 
  • Institutional change through the development of the Roman Empire 
  • Restorers and Usurpers: continuity of government in periods of crisis
  • The Roman army and the Provinces: a study of literary, epigraphic and numismatic evidence

Requisite

Students cannot enrol in this course if they have previously successfully completed AHIS3220.


Assumed knowledge

20 units in Ancient History


Assessment items

Participation: Short Response

Online Learning Activity: Emperors Podcast

Essay: Essay

Written Assignment: Tutorial Paper

Presentation: Short Presentation

Course outline