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| Unit name |
Responses to the Roman Empire |
| Unit code |
CLAS32362 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Sandwell |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
The Roman empire has long attracted attention for its size, longevity and apparent success at imposing imperial rule. It is often seen as the ultimate point of comparison for those involved in more modern imperialist enterprises or for those critiquing the imperial enterprises of others. There thus continues to be a complex interaction between our own attitudes to empire and our understanding of the Roman empire. Even in ancient times what it meant to rule an empire, the impact of empire on Rome and what it was to be a subject of the Roman empire were debated and contested. This unit is concerned with how these complex responses to the Roman empire, both ancient and modern, interact with each other and form our view of the nature of Roman imperialism. It will explore some of the main characterizations of Roman imperialism in literary sources and the assumptions that underlie them.
Aims:
To develop students’ knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman responses to the Roman empire, and to develop their skills in the interpretation of ancient and modern cultural and historical perspectives on the Roman empire.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the unit, students should:
- Have a good knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman responses to the Roman empire and of the nature of Greek and Roman culture under Roman rule.
- Have a good understanding of the different way that Roman imperialism has been characterized in modern times and the extent to which this is related to our own views about empire past and present.
- Be able to use the knowledge acquired in seminars and through their own researches to construct coherent, relevant and persuasive arguments on different aspects of the subject.
- Have had an opportunity to develop their skills in oral and written communication, in small groups and general discussion, and in an essay and a written exam.
Teaching Information
Seminars
Assessment Information
- 1 essay of 3,000 words (25%);
- 1 seminar presentation of 20 minutes’ duration, followed by leading of seminar discussion for a further 30 minutes (25%);
- 1 3 hour examination passages of set text for comment, and essay questions. (50%)
Reading and References
- C. B. Champion, Roman Imperialism: Readings and Sources, Oxford. 2004.
- J. Elsner, Imperial Rome & Christian Triumph, Oxford. 1998
- R. Hingley, Roman Officers and English Gentlemen: The Imperial origins of Roman Archaeology, London. 2000.
- J. Huskinson ed. Experiencing Rome. Culture, Identity and Power in the Roman Empire, London. 2000
- C. Nicolet, Space, Geography and Politics in the Early Roman Empire, Michigan. 1991.
- J. Webster & N. Cooper, Roman Imperialism: Post Colonial Perspectives, Leicester. 1996.
