The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic (ANCW20019)

Students will receive a thorough introduction to the turbulent and exciting history of the Roman Republic roughly spanned some five centuries: from its humble beginnings around 500 BCE to the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BCE.

The first part of this subject celebrating this formative period in world history discusses early Rome, the social, political and religious institutions of the Republic as they gradually emerged from 509 to 264 BCE, and the Roman conquest of Italy and its significance.

The second part concerns the high point of the Roman Republic, approximately the period from 264 to 133 BCE, including discussions of the Punic Wars and the conquest of the Mediterranean, and its tremendous socioeconomic and political consequences for the Republic.

The third and final part deals with the Republic’s troubled last century and surveys the ill-fated Gracchan reforms; the first full-fledged breakdown of the Republican system and the Sullan reaction; the social, economic and cultural life of this period; the rise of the great dynasts; and Caesar’s temerarious attempt to establish a New Order.