GENERAL:
Knowledge and comprehension skills:
The course aims to provide the student with the basic tools for the study of Roman civilisation, in particular that of the imperial age. The students will be introduced to the problems of defining chronological limits and internal periodizations of Roman history (Archaic age, various republican phases, ; high and ‘low empire’, the new ‘late antiquity’); the different types of documents used by the historian of the ancient world (literary, epigraphic, papyrological, numismatic, archaeological sources) and the different types of problems related to their interpretation and their use. Students will then acquire a knowledge of the institutional and administrative history of the early imperial period. In the second part of the course, they will explore key issues of this period: municipal life; the interference of central power in local central power in local autonomies; the concept of Romanisation; the integration processes; the limits of Roman expansion; religious transformations.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
Students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the main tools of historical research (editions of texts, bibliographic directories, collections of inscriptions, coins, etc.) and independently access source directories. They will be enabled to apply their knowledge and comprehension skills to texts that will be proposed in class.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Autonomy of judgement:
Students should be able to analyse and interpret ancient sources, both written and unwritten, and to propose personal evaluations with appropriate arguments.
Communication skills:
Students should be able to communicate the results of their acquired knowledge clearly and effectively and with propriety of language.
Learning skills:
Students will have to acquire the necessary methodology to use and compare different types of documentation and to evaluate the different type of contribution they can provide for the purposes of historical reconstruction
None
The course will take place in the second semester, and will include lectures. during the lectures, sources in the original language will be electronically distributed, translated and discussed. Active participation of the students in the analysis of the texts is hoped for.
The examination consists of an oral test, of variable duration, but in any case sufficient to allow the student to show his or her level of preparation. The student will be asked to illustrate a number of aspects of Roman history (with reference to the textbook): events, personalities, administrative or institutional aspects, historiographical problems. Then to read and comment on one or more of the texts discussed in class (literary and epigraphic sources), which form a fundamental part of the course and on which 50% of the assessment is based.
Language of examination: Italian
Assessment criteria: coherence and completeness of information, correct use of terminology, ability to
correct use of terminology, ability to apply the procedures of
analysis
G.A. Cecconi , La città e l’Impero, Carocci 2013 (or later reprints)
Other texts:
F. Jacques-J.Scheid, Roma e il suo impero, Laterza 1987
Y. Le Bohec, L’esercito romano, Carocci 2001 (rist. 2016)
R. Syme, La rivoluzione romana, Eunaudi 2014
A. Schiavone, A. Giardina (ed.), Storia di Roma, Einaudi 1999.
A. Giardina (ed.), Storia di Roma dall’antichità a oggi. Roma antica,
Laterza 2000.
Outlines of Roman Administrative History (1st-3rd century AD).
1 Periodizations of ancient history
2 Types of sources;
3 The Roman ‘revolution’ and the Augustan turning point
4 The political structure of the empire: the prince and his powers
5 The provincial organisation and the army
6 The ruling classes: senators and knights
7 The cities and city autonomies
8 ‘Romanisation’ and imperialism
9 Horizontal and vertical integration
10 Resistance to Rome and the limits of conquest
italian
Non-attending students: students who cannot or do not intend to attend classes are invited to contact the professor during office hours in order to agree on a special programme
