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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "HS/CL 231-2"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy (Visiting students: during online registraton, this course is listed as CL / HS 231)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Betello Massimo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 8:30-9:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
Thursdays 11.45-12.45 AM or by appointment (use email to contact me)
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.”
George Orwell, Nineteen-eighty-four.
“Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.”
Cicero Orator.
“What experience and history teach is this — that
nations and governments have never learned anything from history, or
acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.”
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of History.
The history of ancient Rome and Italy can be used as great
playgrounds to investigate, understand and evaluate how/why history is
“created/counterfeited” and how it still matters in our modern society
(politics, tv series, historical novels, journalism, architecture,
literature, etc.).
The course mainly aims at:
- presenting the students with a detailed overview of the history
of ancient Italy and Rome from the Etruscans to the end of the Western
Roman Empire;
- presenting and discussing archeological, epigraphical, numismatic and literary sources of Roman history;
- illustrating the geography of Europe and the Mediterranean basin;
- developing an interest in Roman history and civilization that
will help to better appreciate the city of Rome and may possibly guide
towards future reading, research, studies;
- showing some of the living effects of Roman civilization.
This course is composed of both of passive and active learning: the
students will be asked to learn Roman history as portrayed in the
textbook, and at the same time will be requested to analyze important
historical sources. This will allow the students not only to master the
sequence of people and historical events that made Rome the great empire
it was, but also to develop an ability in critically evaluating the
methods used to “make” history.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy. We will
follow the chronological development of the Roman State, from the
monarchic phase to the rise and collapse of the Roman Empire, ending
with the deposition of the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire in
476 AD. The time encompassed is vast and the events numerous: we will
emphasize both fundamental facts and key topics such as the changes in
Roman politics, the causes of the misgovernment which bought down the
Republic, how the hollow skeleton of the Republic was used to house the Principate of Augustus, and the rise of Christianity, to mention just a few.
Readings will include writings from ancient authors (i.e. Polybius,
Cicero, Livy, Suetonius, Tacitus, Caesar, Augustus), from modern
historians and archaeologists (i.e. Boatwright, Carandini, Montesquieu),
made at times more significant by the use of art, architecture and
archaeology.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Taking this course will allow students:
1) to have at their fingertips the facts and personalities that make
Roman History and Culture one of the most studied and fascinating fields
of study;
2) to become aware of the geography and topography of the Mediterranean basin;
3) to be able to employ critical thinking to contextualize, discuss and evaluate how Roman history was created and justified:
- Which/Who are the sources used in creating history?
- Have these sources changed over time?
- Are they reliable?
- Is/was there an “occult” power trying to mold the narration of history to serve its scopes? If so, what are these scopes?
4) to have reached an understanding of some Roman archeological remains
and understood their connection and importance with the history of the
city of Rome;
5) to have the ability to illustrate and discuss some of the traits of
the living legacy of Rome: for an attentive mind Roman history is not
the empty study of old facts, but a source of inspiration for European
and American culture.
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TEXTBOOK:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
A Brief History of the Romans | Boatwright T. Mary, Gargola J. Daniel, Talbert J.A. Richard | Oxford University Press | 978 -0195187151 | DG209 .B582 | | | | |
The Historians of Ancient Rome. An anthology of the major writings | Mellor Ronald (ed.) | Routlegde | 978-0415971089 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
A history of Rome down to the reign of Constantine | Cary and Schullard | Bedford/St. Martin's | 978-0312383954 | DG210 .M778 | |
As the Romans did: a sourcebook in Roman Social History | Shelton Jo-Ann | Oxford University Press | 978-0195089745 | HN10.R7 S45 | |
The Satyricon And, The Apocolocyntosis / Seneca , translated with introductions and notes by J.P. Sullivan | Petronius | Penguin Classics | 978-0140444896 | PA6558.E5S8 | |
Rome : day one | Carandini Andrea | Princeton University Press | 978-0691139227 | DG210 .M778 | |
Considerations on the causes of the greatness of the Romans and their decline | Montesquieu Charles | | 9780872204966 | DG210 .M778 | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
The ancient Roman city | Stambaugh John | The Johns Hopkins University Press | 978-080183692 | HT114 .S7 | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
Midterm exam | Week 6: Friday October 12, 2012.The topics tested will be those of the first half of the semester.It will be made up by two parts:• one testing the student’s factual knowledge (events, date, people etc) using identifications, multiple choices, true-false, etc.;• the other testing the student’s understanding and knowledge of the concepts explained using open questions, essays, etc.More specific details will be given during the semester. | 30 |
Final exam | Week 15: date TBA.The topics tested will be those of the second half of the semester.The format will follow that of the midterm exam.More specific details will be given during the semester | 30 |
Oral presentation | From week 4 onwards.Each student will have the opportunity to present a topic of interest to the class using one 10-minutes oral presentation accompanied by power-point slides (5 slides) and one-page handout.A list of available topics and the presentation rubric will be distributed at the beginning of the semester: students are welcome to propose topics they are interested in! | 10 |
2 tests | Week 3 and 10.These short tests (20 minutes) are created to foster a regular study of the subject and get the students ready for the exams. Most questions will test factual knowledge (events, date, people etc.), but some questions may be about concepts.Format: short answers, multiple choices, true-false, identifications, map questions etc. | 10+10 |
Reading, in-classroom participation, assignment | Complete the readings before coming to class, please! This is the best practice to follow in order to get the most out of this course.Do not be shy in showing your knowledge of the assigned readings and to participate appropriately to class discussion.Randomly during the semester students may be asked to do some easy assignments. | 10 |
10 extra credit assignments | Voluntary and not requested. Most of them will be personal visits to archeological remains pertinent to the weekly topics. Students will be asked to take pictures and write a very short paragraph about them. Some may request the payment of a ticket, others may not. Students do not need to complete these extra credit assignments to get the final grade of A. Each assignment will be singularly evaluated. | 0.5*10=5 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
These guidelines are presented to provide students with a general idea regarding how letter grades are assigned at JCU.
A
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Work of this quality directly addresses the
question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying
an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of
work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory
and has an element of novelty and originality.
There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading
beyond that required for the course.
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B
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This is highly competent level of performance
and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a
demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts
and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own
arguĀments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and
reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or
omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required
assignments.
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C
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This is an acceptable level of performance
and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the
information offered in the lectures and reference readings. This level
of performance demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of
the material.
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D
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Important information is omitted and
irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done
enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
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F
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This work fails to show any knowledge or
understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material
in the answer is irrelevant.
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Grade breakdown
A+
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100 – 97 (will appear as A on transcript)
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B-
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82.99 - 80
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A
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96.99 - 93
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C+
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79.99 - 77
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A-
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92.99 - 90
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C
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76.99 - 73
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B+
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89.99 - 87
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C-
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72.99 - 70
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B
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86.99 - 83
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D
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69.99 - 60
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F 59.99 >
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-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance will be taken at every class.
Students are allowed ONE unexcused absence. Each other unexcused absence will sadly result in the lowering of the final grade by one degree (e.g. from A to A-). More than five unexcused absences will have you fail the class …
As from the university catalog:
“When the student misses more than the maximum number of classes allowed
by the syllabus, the instructor refers the student to the Assistant
Dean for Student Academic Affairs.
Absences due to illness, hospitalization, death in the family, or other
situations of similar gravity will normally be excused. Absences due to
travel difficulties, misunderstanding on the part of the student, or
personal convenience will not be excused.
A student absent from a class meeting in which a final examination,
mid-term or other major examination has been scheduled will be
officially excused only if the student:
1. notifies the Office of the Assistant Dean for Student Academic
Affairs of his/her inability to attend before the beginning of the class
meeting for which the examination is scheduled;
2. subsequently presents to the same office documented evidence of a serious difficulty preventing attendance.”
Please, refer to the university catalog for any other doubts regarding attendance policy.
Important notes
Travel plans cannot interfere with any class session, especially exams and tests (see also attendance requirement).
The use of cell phones/smart phones/I-pod/MP3 players and similar is NOT permitted in class.
The use of personal computers is allowed only if directly related to the
course (no facebook, checking email, twittering, texting etc). Violations of this policy will lower the final grade and may cause disciplinary actions. According to the situation observed in class, this policy is liable to be changed by the instructor during the semester.
Students are kindly asked to keep and save all the exams, tests and any
other graded assignment until the final grade will be assigned.
Plagiarism and cheating will result in a grade of ‘0’ (zero) for the assignment.
Internet resources:
Rome Reborn – Great project which has the virtual 3D reconstruction
of imperial Rome as one of its objectives. If you have Google Earth on
your computer, you can download the 3D reconstruction layer and fly
through Rome of the time of the Emperors (very cool). Super useful for
helping you visualize lost or hard to understand monuments.
livius.org/rome.html - Contains links to short articles on a variety of topics and people of ancient Rome.
LacusCurtius - A fairly extensive set of links to pictures and
images, Latin texts and their translations, subtopics such as military
history, and more.
The Perseus Project - A gold mine for searchable Latin and Greek texts and their English translations. It also contains a full version of the Lewis and Short Latin dictionary and very helpful morphological tools.
Ancient World Mapping Center
- This site has posted a number of maps of the ancient world, with many
concerning ancient Rome and Greece. These maps come in a variety of
sizes and versions.
De Imperatoribus Romanis
- an on-line encyclopedia of Roman rulers and their families from
Augustus (27 BC-AD 14) to Constantine XI Palaeologus (1449-1453).
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1
Sept 3-9
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Introduction to the course: syllabus, assessments, logistics, textbooks.
What are we going to deal with in this class? Roman History: a quick general outlook.
How do we know what we know? Our main sources: ancient historians, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics.
At the beginning it was just Early Italy (Latins, Etruscans, Greeks in Italy).
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Tuesday 4
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BOATWRIGHT: Preface; Notes to the reader; 1-8 (Chapter 1)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 6
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BOATWRIGHT: 8-14 (Chapter 1)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 2
Sept 10-16
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Mythical and archaeological origins of the city of Rome.
Monarchy and the 7 mythical kings.
The deposition of the last king and the Early Republic.
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Tuesday 11
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BOATWRIGHT: 15-23 (Chapter 2)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 13
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Boatwright: 23-31 (Chapter 2)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 3
Sept 17-23
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The rise of Rome in Italy (Samnite wars, and wars with the Greeks of Italy)
The rise of Rome outside Italy (First and Second Punic war)
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Tuesday 18
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Boatwright: 32-44 (Chapter 3)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 20
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BOATWRIGHT : 44-53 (Chapter 3)
Other readings: TBA
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Friday 21 (make up for Thursday Nov 1)
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BOATWRIGHT : 54-70 (Chapter 4, only its first part)
Other readings: TBA
Test 1
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Week 4
Sept 24-30
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How Rome dealt with her newly conquered Mediterranean empire.
A new way of doing politics: the assassination of the Gracchi.
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Tuesday 25
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BOATWRIGHT : 78-98 (Chapter 5 all)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 27
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BOATWRIGHT : 99-112(Chapter 6)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 5
Oct 1-7
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External forces attack the Republic: the war with Numidia, and the menace of the German populations Cimbri and Teutones.
The first of a series of civil wars: the clash between the generals Marius and Sulla.
The end of Sulla, the beginning of Pompey.
Slave revolts, pirate wars, Catiline’s attempted revolution.
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Tuesday 2
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BOATWRIGHT : 112-118(Chapter 6) AND 132-4 (Chapter 7)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 4
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BOATWRIGHT : 119-140 (Chapter 7 ALL, apart from the pages assigned yesterday)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 6
Oct 8-14
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The penultimate chapter in the history of the Roman Republic: the first Triumvirate and another civil war.
Gaius Iulius Caesar: his rising, assassination and his dream of a new order for Rome.
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Tuesday 9
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BOATWRIGHT : 142-154( Chapter 8)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 11
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BOATWRIGHT : 154-166(Chapter 8)
Other readings: TBA
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Friday 12 (make up for Thursday Nov 22)
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MIDTERM
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Week 7
Oct 15-21
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The last chapter in the history of the Roman Republic: the second Triumvirate and yet another civil war.
Octavian Augustus: the establishment of new order within the hollowed out Republican institutions.
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Tuesday 16
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BOATWRIGHT : 167-184 (Chapter 9)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 18
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BOATWRIGHT : 184-199(Chapter 9)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 8
Oct 22-28
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The Julio-Claudian Emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero.
Economic and social change at the beginning of the Imperial age.
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Tuesday 23
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BOATWRIGHT : 201-211 (Chapter 10)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 25
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BOATWRIGHT : 211-221 (Chapter 10)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 9
Oct 29–Nov 4
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The Flavians Emperors and the Age of the Adopted Emperors (the five good emperors: part one): a new golden age for humanity?
Pompeii and Herculaneum: how were they obliterated by the eruption of the Vesuvius of 79 AD?
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Tuesday 30
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BOATWRIGHT : 222-237 (Chapter 11)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 1(cancelled)
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NO CLASS: Italian holiday
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Week 10
Nov 5-11
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Entertainment during the Imperial age: the Colosseum, the Amphitheaters, horse racing, Roman Baths.
The five good emperors: part two.
The Severan Emperors.
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Tuesday 6
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BOATWRIGHT : 237-245 (Chapter 11)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 8
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BOATWRIGHT : 247-260 (Chapter 12)
Other readings: TBA
TEST 2
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Week 11
Nov 12-18
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The crisis of the third century.
Citizenship granted to all the free inhabitants of the Empire.
Christianity and the Romans
The Tetrarchy
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Tuesday 13
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BOATWRIGHT : 260-271 (Chapter 12)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 15
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BOATWRIGHT : 273-284 (Chapter 13)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 12
Nov 19-25
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The dissolution of the tetrarchy
Consequences of the acts of Constantine.
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Tuesday 20
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BOATWRIGHT : 284-296 (Chapter 13)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 22 (Thanksgiving)
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NO CLASS
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Week 13
Nov 26-Dec 2
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Economy, culture and religion during the late Empire.
The fall of the Roman Empire (part one).
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Tuesday 27
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CS: 536 549 (Chapter 43)
Other readings: TBA
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Thursday 29
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CS: 550-553 (Chapter 44)
Other readings: TBA
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Week 14
Dec 3-9
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The fall of the Roman Empire (part two)
Review.
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Tuesday 3
Thursday 6
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CS: 553-558 (Chapter 44)
Other readings: TBA
Review and final questions
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Week 15
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FINAL EXAM
Date TBA (do not make plans to leave this week)
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FINAL EXAM
Date TBA
(do not make plan to leave this week)
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