Hi. 213: Ancient Rome

Fall 2003. Syllabus

Text:
  • Allen M. Ward et al. (= W). A History of the Roman People. 4th. ed.Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 2003.
  • David Johnston (= J). Roman Law in Context. Key Themes in Ancient History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1999.
  • Edward Luttwak(= L). The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire from the First Century A.D. to the Third. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. 1976.
Course Grade:
  • Midterm examination, 20%
    		•
  • Class Presentation(s), 5%
  • Quizzes, 10%
  • Reading essays, 15%
  • Final Examination, 25%
    •
  • Research Paper, 25%
    •
    Attendance:
  • After three cuts a student's name will be turned in to the Dean of Students. Normally, the student will be asked by a member of the Dean's staff to discuss the reasons for the excessive absences.

    Make-up exams and quizzes will be given only upon receipt of a letter from a doctor. Exceptions to this rule will be made only under special circumstances.

    Assignments will be collected by the end of class on the due date. Overdue assignments will be reduced a grade per day, beginning immediately.

    Students who are absent without excuse are expected to be caught up and fully prepared when athey return to class.

    •

    Reading Essays:

    • After reading J., write an essay 2-3 pages in length discussing two or three of what you feel are the most remarkable (i.e., surprising, unexpected) features of Roman law. There is no need to do additional research. Be sure to cite particular points in the book and give page references.
    • After reading L., write an essay 2-3 pages in length in which you review his conclusions about the factors which most contributed to the stability of the Roman Empire during one of the periods that he studies. There is no need to do additional research. Be sure to cite particular points in the book and give page references.
    Research Paper:
  • Prepare a paper five to sevenpages in length, typed, with proper notes and list of works cited, on a topic from Roman history that has been approved. At least seven items should be included in your list of works cited, two of them Roman sources.
    		•
    Academic Honesty:
  • Preparation of all assignments (including examinations) in this course is governed by the rules outlined in the document, "Academic Honesty at Moravian College." Failure to abide by these rules will have severe consequences including failure in the course.
    •

     

    W. 9/3  
    M. 9/8 W 1-2
    W. 9/10

    W 3.

    Livy on the origins of Rome. Read Bk. 1, Ch. 1-16; Bk. 1, Ch. 42-45; Bk. 2, Ch. 49-50: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/browse-mixed new?id=Liv1His&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public
    M. 9/15

    W 4-5.

    The XII Tables: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/12tables.html

    Roman state religion: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/romrelig3.html
    W. 9/17 W 6. J 1-2.
    M. 9/22

    W 7-8.

    The Roman Army: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/polybius-manipl
    W. 9/24

    W 9. J 3.

    Polybius on the battle of Cannae: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/polybius-cannae.html
    M. 9/29

    W 10. J 4.

    Conquest of Greece: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/polybius-corinth146.html
    W. 10/1

    W 11-13. J 5

    Growth of slavery in Italy: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/slavery-romrep1.html
    M. 10/6

    W 14.

    The Gracchi: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/appian-civwars1.html
    W. 10/8

    W 15-16. Johnson reading essay due.

    Politics in republican Rome: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/54candidate.html

    W. 10/15

    W 17-18.

    Sallust on life in the Late Republic:

    M. 10/20

    W 19-20.

    Plutarch: The Assassination of Julius Caesar.
    W. 10/22 Midterm examination
    M. 10/27

    W 21-22. Research topics due.

    Augustus, Res Gestae: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/14resgestae.html

    W. 10/29 W 23-24. Visit Reeves library.
    M. 11/3

    W 25.

    Virgil, Aeneid Bk. 6: http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/aeneid/book6.htm (For guidance in interpreting Virgil, see the linked study guide: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/vergil.htm)
    W. 11/5

    W 26-27. L 1.

    Murderous emperors:

    Tacitus, Annals, Book 1 on Tiberius http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/taciann1.html

    Tacitus, Annals, Book 14 on Nero's murder of Agrippina http://members.aol.com/zoticus/bathlib/nero.htm
    M. 11/10 W 28. Video: "The Roman Arena."
    W. 11/12

    W 29-30. L 2

    Marcus Aurelius on Antoninus Pius http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/marcusaurelius-anton1.html
    M. 11/17

    W 31-32.

    The debasement of Roman silver coinage: http://www.ex.ac.uk/~RDavies/arian/amser/chrono2.html

    W. 11/19

    W 33-34. Research paper due. L 3

    Diocletian:

    Edicts against the Christians: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/persec1.html

    Reforms of the Roman economy and government: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/diocletian-control.html http://www.humanities.ccny.cuny.edu/history/reader/tetrarchs.htm

    M. 11/24

    W 35-36. Luttwak reading essay due. Research papers due.

    Constantinople: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/sozomen-constantinople1.html

    M. 12/1

    W 37-38. L "Epilogue."

    The end of paganism: http://www.northpark.edu/acad/history/Classes/Sources/Julian.html

    W. 12/3 W 39-40.
    M. 12/8 W 41-42
    W. 12/10

    W 43-44

    Edward Gibbon, right or wrong? http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/gibbon-fall.html

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