Expand+Academic Year 2021/2022
This module examines the history of the Roman Empire from Augustus to Trajan. We will explore the political history of the period, focusing on the figure of the emperor and the nature of imperial power. We will examine how em...

Hide-Academic Year 2021/2022
This module examines the history of the Roman Empire from Augustus to Trajan. We will explore the political history of the period, focusing on the figure of the emperor and the nature of imperial power. We will examine how emperors such as Nero represented themselves to their people, and how they were represented in later histories and biographies. We will also focus on the social history of Rome, examining topics such as Roman slavery, gladiators and the arena, religions at Rome and the emergence of Christianity. No previous knowledge is necessary and all texts are studied in translation.

The module provides an introduction to the subject both for programme students who want to progress further in their study of Roman history, and also for elective students who would like a standalone introduction to the period.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:

Critically discuss aspects of the social and political history of the Early Roman Empire;

Analyze ancient source material;

Demonstrate understanding of modern research on key issues in the subject.

Indicative Module Content:

Lectures will include topics such as:

Introduction to Sources and Approaches
Augustus and the Principate
Julio-Claudian Emperors: Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula), Claudius, Nero
Civil War and the Flavian Emperors
Nerva and Trajan: the Emperor and the Army
Political Power in the Roman Empire
The Image of the Emperor
Gladiatorial Spectacles in Roman Society
Slavery and Citizenship
Christianity and Roman Religions

Tutorials will focus on source criticism, focusing on topics such as:

Approaches to Reading Ancient Historians
Agrippina and the Imperial Family
The Roman Army
The Colosseum