21:510:256 Roman Civilization (Fall 2014)
Class Meeting Time: M 2:30-3:50 pm, W 1:00-2:20 pm
Class Location: 352 Conklin Hall
Instructor: Dr. Susan Helft
Office: 326 Conklin Hall
Office Hours: Mondays 12:30-1:30 pm or by appointment
email: [email protected]
Course Description: This is a general introduction to the history and culture of the ancient Romans from
the origins of Roman history in c. 700 BCE to the end of the Roman Empire c. 500 CE. Readings and
lectures will explore the political, military and social history of the Roman world. Special attention will be
paid to the achievements of the Romans that have most impacted western civilization: the republican
form of government, the origins of Christianity, Roman imperialism and the “Romanization” of Europe
and the Mediterranean.
Learning Outcomes:
In this class you will:




learn to think critically about the past and identify historical problems
learn to distinguish between different classes of evidence- written and object based
learn to question the reliability of primary sources and consider biases in the historical record
learn to write effectively about the past, using primary sources to support a thesis
Required Texts:


Potter, D. Ancient Rome: A New History. 2nd ed. Thames and Hudson: NY, 2014.
Cherry, D. The Roman World: A Sourcebook. Wiley-Blackwell, 2001.
*Books are available at New Jersey Books, 167 University Ave., and the Rutgers University Book
Store. All other readings will be available via Blackboard.
Course Requirements: This class will consist of lectures, in class discussions, critical reading
assignments, a final exam and a research paper. The final exam is a cumulative in class examination.
Makeup exams will only be given with a doctor’s note or in the case of emergencies. Arrangements must
be made with me in advance for makeups. The research paper will ask you to produce a 5-7 page paper
from a list of selected topics. More detailed instructions for the research paper will be given in class.
Assignments must be handed in on time, unless discussed with me PRIOR to the due date. There will be
a half grade penalty for each day subsequent to the due date.
Grading: 3 critical reading assignments 30%, final exam 30%, research paper 30%, class participation
10%. A missed assignment will be factored into the final grade as 0%. The participation grade will be
based on positive involvement in class discussions. Reading/writing assignments will be graded on the
originality and persuasiveness of the answer, the use of evidence (both primary and secondary) in
support of the argument, and the organization and effectiveness of writing.
Academic Integrity: All students must adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy, available at
http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu. Copying someone else’s work or from the internet, paraphrasing
without citations, or cheating in any way, will all result in a failing grade for the exam or assignment and
will be reported to the dean. Flagrant offenses may result in failing the course altogether. To receive
credit for an assignment, each student is required to sign the Rutgers Honor Code Pledge stating,
“On my honor, I have neither received nor given any unauthorized assistance on this examination /
assignment.”
Attendance Policy: Much of the material you will be responsible for will come from in class visual
presentations and discussions and therefore attendance is mandatory at every class. More than two
unexcused absences will result in a half letter deduction from your final grade. Excused absences for
illness, family emergency, etc. must be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Any student who
misses eight or more classes (excused and unexcused) will not earn credit for this class and should
withdraw from the class to avoid getting an F on their transcript.
Electronic devices other than laptops are not permitted during class. If you use your phone during class
you will be marked absent for the day. If you otherwise disrupt the class, you will receive a 0% for the
participation portion of your grade.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities (including learning disabilities) requiring assistance
and/or accommodation should speak with Disability Services (973-353-5300) in a timely manner. Please
notify me at the beginning of the semester if such assistance or accommodation is granted.
Schedule of Classes and Readings:
Readings should be completed BEFORE class on the date
they are listed so that you can participate in class discussions. Reading assignments are due at the
beginning of class on the day they are listed.
September 3: Introduction to the Course
In class geography assignment
September 8: Early Italy and the Origins of Roman society
Boatwright, M. et al. chapter I: Archaic Italy and the Origins of Rome, 1-31 (Blackboard)
Livy, History of Rome. Foundation Legends (Blackboard)
September 10: Foundations of the Roman State (CLASS DISCUSSION)
Boatwright M. et al. The Romans and their Early History, 31-42 (Blackboard)
Livy, Horatius at the Bridge (Blackboard)
September 15: The Republican Political System
Potter 47-56
Cherry 101-105, Polybius, The Constitution of the Roman Republic
Cherry 4-9, The Twelve Tables
*Reading assignment #1 (2 pages): Consider Polybius’ description of the Roman government.
What is the purpose of his work? What is Polybius’ opinion of the Roman constitution? What
does he consider its virtues?
September 17 and 22: The Conquest of Italy and the Punic Wars
Potter 58-86
Plutarch, Life of Fabius Maximus (Blackboard)
September 24: The Conquest of the Mediterranean and the Beginning of an Empire
Potter 87-94
September 29: Changes for Rome in the 2nd cent. BCE
Potter 94-104
Cherry 9-13, Plutarch, Life of Cato the Elder
October 1: The Gracchi Brothers and Political Conflict
Potter 106-116
Appian, On Tiberius Gracchus, (Blackboard)
Appian, On Gauis Gracchus, (Blackboard)
October 6: Rome and the Provinces (CLASS DISCUSSION)
Cicero, Pro Flacco (Blackboard)
*Selection of research paper topic due with a list of possible sources
October 8: Marius
Potter 117-123
Plutarch, Life of Marius (Blackboard)
October 13: Sulla
Potter 124-135
Plutarch, Life of Sulla (Blackboard)
October 15: Rise of Pompey (the Great)
Potter 135-143
Plutarch, Life of Pompey the Great (Blackboard)
October 20: End of the Republic, Pompey vs. Caesar
Potter 143- 147, 158-168
Cherry, 105-107. Cicero, In Defense of Sestius.
October 22: Julius Caesar
Plutarch, Life of Caesar (Blackboard)
Seutonius, Life of Caesar (Blackboard)
*Reading assignment #2 (2 pages): Two accounts of the life of Caesar have survived from
antiquity. Describe your impressions of Caesar gained from each biography. What could
account for these differences? Do you think one source is more reliable than the other? Why?
October 27: The First Triumvirate (44-31 BCE)
Potter 168-174
October 29: Roman Society (Women and Slaves)(CLASS DISCUSSION)
Cherry 39-41
Cherry 52-53, Plutarch, Precepts of Marriage
Cherry 92-93, Galen, On the Usefulness of the Parts of the Body 14.6-7
Livy, A History of Rome 34.2.1 (Blackboard)
Varro, On Agriculture 1.17… (Blackboard)
Tacitus, Annals, 14.42-45 (Blackboard)
Seneca the Younger, Letters, 47 (Blackboard)
Petronius, Satyricon, 26.9… (Blackboard)
November 3: Emperor Augustus Caesar
Potter 175-193
Cherry, Accomplishments of the Deified Augustus (Res Gestae), 126-133
November 5: Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius
Potter 193-201
Cherry, Life of Gaius (Caligula), 133-139
November 10: Nero and the Year of Four Emperors
Potter 201-208
Seutonius, Life of Nero (Blackboard)
November 12: The Flavian and Antonine Emperors
Potter 210-226
Seutonius, Lives of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian (Blackboard)
*Annotated bibliography for research paper due
November 17: Roman Culture in the High Empire
Potter 227-258
*Reading assignment #4 (2 pages): Choose one or more of the images shown in class (all
available on Blackboard) to address ONE of the following questions. Explain how the image or
object informs your answer:
What was the Roman view on human sexuality? What role did public spectacles such as
athletic contests, combat sports (gladiatorial games) or theatrical events play in Roman life?
How did contemporary objects or art reflect important Roman values? November 19: The
Severan Emperors
Potter 258-270
Historia Augusta, Life of Elagabalus (Blackboard)
November 24: Third Century Crisis, Romans and Barbarians (CLASS DISCUSSION)
Potter 272-286
Tacitus, Histories 5 (Blackboard)
Cherry 199-202, Tacitus, Agricola
Cherry 202-206 Tacitus, Germania
November 26: Roman Religion, Christianity and Other Religions (CLASS DISCUSSION)
Cherry 214-215, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities
Cherry 215, Plutarch, Life of Romulus
Cherry 218-221, Apuleius, Metamorphoses 11
Cherry 221-223, Minucius Felix, Octavius
Cherry 224, Tacitus, Annals 15.44
Cherry 224-226, Pliny, Letters 10.96-7
Tertullian, Apology (Blackboard)
Cherry 226-229, Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 5.1-31
December 1: Diocletian and Constantine
Potter 286-305
December 3: The Fall of the Western Empire
Potter 305-328, 352-354
December 8: Themes in Roman History (CLASS DISCUSSION)
Many modern commentators have compared the contemporary United States to the Roman
Empire. Consider this analogy in terms of our constitution and system of government, the notion
of empire or imperialism, the differentiation of classes, and the attitudes towards foreigners.
*RESEARCH PAPER DUE
December 17: FINAL EXAM