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Imperial Rome: Mediterranean Superpower (ANCW30021)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
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At the height of its power and splendour, the mighty Roman Empire stretched from the Syrian borders to the Portuguese Atlantic and from the Sahara to the hills of Scotland, and comprised many peoples, from Germans to Greeks and Arabs, from Celts to Jews. This hotchpotch of peoples and cultures thus constituted history’s first and only Mediterranean superpower, a startling achievement lasting some four hundred years. This subject will introduce students to imperial Rome’s social, political, cultural and religious history. First we will discuss the Julio-Claudian period (44 BCE-68 CE), including the aftermath of Caesar’s assassination and Octavian’s stunning rise to absolute power. The second part concerns the long second century (69-192 CE), the apex of Empire. Part three highlights the Severan Dynasty and the crises of the third century (193-284). Last but not least, we will scrutinize the last century of the Mediterranean Empire, from its reinvention by Diocletian to the definitive separation of West and East at the death of Theodosius I in 395 CE.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- should have acquired a broad insight into the varied and rich history of the Roman Empire.
- have developed their skills to select and analyze relevant material from the ancient sources and synthesize the findings of this inquiry into a consistent and structured argument
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- develop research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources.
- demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
- be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
- demonstrate written communication through essay preparation and writing.
- develop time management and planning through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A mid-term exam, held after seminar 6
| Mid term | 25% |
A research essay due 4 weeks after the completion of classes
| End of the assessment period | 40% |
A final exam, held in the week after classes finish (note that questions will be circulated prior to the exam)
| End of the teaching period | 25% |
Seminar attendance and contribution throughout the semester, note that students will be required to personally submit their participation template sheet at the close of every seminar. | From Week 1 to Week 3 | 10% |
Hurdle requirement Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of Seminars in order to pass this subject. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, no late assessment will be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. | From Week 1 to Week 3 | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Lewis, Naphtali & Reinhold, Meyer, Roman Civilization. Selected Readings. Volume 2: The Empire, 3rd edition, 1990, Columbia University Press. ISBN: 0-231-07054-3 (set) or 0-231-07055-1 (paperback)
Subject readings will be available on line
Recommended texts and other resources
A History of the Roman People (Allen Ward, Fritz Heichelheim &. Cedric Yeo) Fourth Edition (Prentice Hall 2003)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Classical Studies and Archaeology Specialisation (formal) Classical Studies and Archaeology Major Ancient World Studies Major Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major Breadth Track Ancient Civilizations A Breadth Track Roman Studies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024