The course aims to provide an overview of the relationship between Rome and the Italian communities from the mid-Republican to the late imperial age (first part 'Roman history') and to examine the local administration of the cities in Roman Italy from a historical and institutional perspective (second part 'Latin epigraphy': https://www.uniurb.it/syllabi/265685).

The module includes:

- an analysis of the main events in Roman history from the Republic to the Late Empire and their consequences from a political and administrative point of view (first part 'Roman history');

- the study of Roman institutions, with particular emphasis on topics such as Roman and Latin citizenship, local government, urban culture and social relations (second part 'Latin epigraphy': https://www.uniurb.it/syllabi/265685);

During the whole module, a selection of primary evidence (literary, epigraphic, numismatic, archaeological sources that are useful to the historical reconstruction of the institutional structures of Roman cities) will be examined, read and commented.

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

Some lectures will be given by persons other than the lecturer. A self-assessment test in presence and/or online is scheduled at the end of the first part: this test will provide students with the opportunity to assess the degree of their preparation. This test will consist of a series of questions on the first part of the programme.

Teaching

Lectures and papers given by specialists with a slide show and handouts (occasionally); seminars.

Innovative teaching methods

Some classes will be conducted according to the following innovative teaching methods: 

• Debate
• Flipped classroom

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory, but highly recommended.

Course books

a) The following books:

- G. Brizzi, Ribelli contro Roma. Gli schiavi, Spartaco, l'altra Italia, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2017

- G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2009 (seconda edizione)

b) The following articles:

- W. V. Harris, “Quando e come l'Italia divenne per la prima volta Italia? Un saggio sulla politica dell'identità”, Studi Storici 48.2, 2007, pp. 301-322 (downloading from blended.uniurb.it)

- E. Gabba, “Urbanizzazione e rinnovamenti urbanistici nell'Italia centro-meridionale del I sec. a.C., Studi Classici e Orientali 21, 1972, pp. 73-112 (downloading from blended.uniurb.it)

If you have never taken a Roman History course before, please use one of the following handbooks:

- F. Santangelo, G. Traina, Il mondo dei Romani, Torino: Einaudi, 2024

or

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

During the lectures, additional materials (handouts/PowerPoints with primary sources) will be provided. All materials will be accessible via the digital e-learning platform.

Assessment

The final grade will be given by an oral exam (usually five/six 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

Personal 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) The following books:

- G. Brizzi, Ribelli contro Roma. Gli schiavi, Spartaco, l'altra Italia, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2017

- G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2009 (seconda edizione)

b) The following articles:

- W. V. Harris, “Quando e come l'Italia divenne per la prima volta Italia? Un saggio sulla politica dell'identità”, Studi Storici 48.2, 2007, pp. 301-322 (downloading from blended.uniurb.it)

- E. Gabba, “Urbanizzazione e rinnovamenti urbanistici nell'Italia centro-meridionale del I sec. a.C., Studi Classici e Orientali 21, 1972, pp. 73-112 (downloading from blended.uniurb.it)

If you have never taken a Roman History course before, please use one of the following handbooks:

- F. Santangelo, G. Traina, Il mondo dei Romani, Torino: Einaudi, 2024

or

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

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate for what they have done in class through self-study, they are also advised to consult all the materials published on the blended platform (slides, tutorials, supplementary material) that are particularly useful for a full understanding of the programme.

Assessment

The final grade will be given by an oral exam (usually five/six 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.

A basic knowledge of Roman history is recommended but not mandatory.