The course aims to provide an overview of Roman history for the period between the origins of the city of Rome and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Lectures focus on crucial historical issues that can be useful for understanding present events rather than on the mere description of facts and events. The main objective is to provide students with the necessary tools for the critical analysis of ancient primary evidence (literary, archaeological, epigraphical, numismatic, papyrological sources) and modern secondary literature, and for the understanding of the methodology of historical research and the vocabulary of the discipline.

Crucial moments of Roman history are illustrated diachronically during the course, with a focus on both the origins of the city and the Republican age (first 10 lectures) and the Imperial and Late Antique periods (last 8 lectures). Through the reading and commentary of ancient sources, macro-themes such as social and economic issues, military structures, institutional arrangements, political debate and religious aspects are also analysed.

The complete syllabus is provided to students during the first lesson, and published on the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it.

None.

Knowledge and understanding of the main historical processes of Roman History.

Ability to analyse ancient primary evidence (literary, archaeological, epigraphical, numismatic, papyrological sources).

Critical thinking about the information gathered from ancient primary evidence (literary, archaeological, epigraphical, numismatic, papyrological sources) and modern secondary literature.

Ability to communicate the acquired knowledge in a clear, essential and scientifically correct way.

Learning autonomy.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

None.

Teaching

Lectures with a slide show and handouts (occasionally). Interaction with the lecturer is recommended.

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Students are required to be present at a minimum of two-thirds of the lectures in order to be considered as attenders.

Course books

a) A handbook of Roman history  to be chosen from the following:

- G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2020 (or previous edition)

or

- G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia Romana. Editio Maior, Firenze: Le Monnier, 2018

b) The following books:

- F. Santangelo, Roma repubblicana. Una storia in quaranta vite, Roma: Carocci, 2019 (a chapter selection: information will be provided during lectures)

- G. A. Cecconi, Barbari e pagani: religione e società in Europa nel tardoantico, Bari: Laterza, 2022

Assessment

The final grade will be given by an oral exam (usually three/four questions).

Here below the evaluation criteria:

• skill level excellent (30 with honors-30): excellent critical and in-depth study skills; excellent ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level very good (29-27): very good critical and in-depth study skills; very good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level good (26-24): good critical and in-depth study skills; good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level satisfactory (23-21): a fair degree of critical and in-depth study skills; satisfactory ability to link key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level enough (20-18): a sufficient degree of critical and in-depth study skills; sufficient ability to link key-themes studied; a clear enough oral exposition;

• skill level not enough (less than 18): gaps in critical and in-depth study skills; lack of ability to link key-themes studied; an unclear oral exposition.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study.

Attendance

In addition to course books (see below), non-attending students are required to contact the lecturer for further reading at least two months before the exams.

Course books

a) A handbook of Roman history  to be chosen from the following:

- G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2020 (or previous edition)

or

- G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia Romana. Editio Maior, Firenze: Le Monnier, 2018

b) The following books:

- F. Santangelo, Roma repubblicana. Una storia in quaranta vite, Roma: Carocci, 2019

- G. A. Cecconi, Barbari e pagani: religione e società in Europa nel tardoantico, Bari: Laterza, 2022

Assessment

The final grade will be given by an oral exam (usually three/four questions).

Here below the evaluation criteria:

• skill level excellent (30 with honors-30): excellent critical and in-depth study skills; excellent ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level very good (29-27): very good critical and in-depth study skills; very good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level good (26-24): good critical and in-depth study skills; good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level satisfactory (23-21): a fair degree of critical and in-depth study skills; satisfactory ability to link key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level enough (20-18): a sufficient degree of critical and in-depth study skills; sufficient ability to link key-themes studied; a clear enough oral exposition;

• skill level not enough (less than 18): gaps in critical and in-depth study skills; lack of ability to link key-themes studied; an unclear oral exposition.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.