01009 - Roman History (E-M)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students know the issues and the most important events in Roman history (about politics, institutions, mindset, religion, economics) and can frame them critically as well. Students know the basic methodology of historical research and analysis of literary and documentary sources, with particular focus on historiography and epigraphy. They can address the main historical questions with awareness of their transformation over time and of the main scientific approaches.

Course contents

1. Introductory part: the main methodological problems in the reconstruction of Roman history: documentary sources and historiography; Periodization problems
2. Analysis of some case studies of Roman history and cross-cutting issues related to politics, institutions, mentality, religion, economics. Analysis of ancient documentation and of the historiographic debate; case study analysis is ment to facilitate a critical study of the themes and events of Roman history.
3. Students will be asked to study on the textbook the lines of development of Roman history, from the beginning to the V century. D. C., also paying particular attention to the ancient documentation.
4. Further Insights on the institutional aspects of the Republic and the Empire through authomomous reading.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Introductory part: teaching materials presented during the lessons and progressively available in the 'Teaching Materials' section
2. Study cases: texts and sources presented during the lessons and progressively available in the 'Teaching materials' section
3. The lines of development of Roman History from the beginning to the V century. D.C . Authonomous study of the Textbook: G. Geraci – A. Marcone, Storia romana, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2002 or other editions [available in the Department Library History and Cultures, Ancient History  via Zamboni 38, 4th floor: CONS V Geraci].
4. Institutional Aspects: Authonomous study of C. Nicolet, Strutture dell'Italia romana (sec. III-I a.C.), Roma, Jouvence, 1984 [same library: CONS V Nico] e di K. Christ, Breve storia dell’impero romano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2003.

Non-attending students: in addition to the preparation of the texts indicated in points 3 and 4, will substitute the preparation for points 1 and 2 regarding the sources and themes commented in class  by studying a collection of sources and three critical essays:

a) G. Geraci – A. Marcone, Fonti per la storia romana, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2006 [available in the Department Library History and Cultures, Ancient History via Zamboni 38, 4th floor: F. RACC 201]

b) Together with the following three essays:

• Carlo Franco, I regni ellenistici tra Oriente e Occidente, «Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, V, La res publica e il Mediterraneo», a cura di G. Traina, Roma, Salerno Editore, 2008, pp.331-375

• Michel-Yves Perrin, La nascita del Cristianesimo, «Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, VI, Da Augusto a Diocleziano», a cura di G. Traina, Roma, Salerno Editore, 2009, pp. pp. 703-744.

• Giovanni Alberto Cecconi, Da Dioceziano a Costantino: le nuove forme del potere, «Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, VII, L'impero tardoantico», a cura di G. Traina, Roma, Salerno Editore, 2010, pp. 41-91.

Depending on the specific interests or needs of the students, it is possible to agree on different essays, first choosing among those published in the volumes V-VII of the History of Europe and the Mediterranean, Salerno Editore, 2008-2010 (also available in the  Pocket edition with different vols number but same pagination of essays published in 2017 as supplement to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera) or in other publications of similar character.

Erasmus or International students who have difficulties with scientific essays, manuals or materials in Italian, can agree with the teacher a special reading list in other languages.

Everyone is recommended to use an historical atlas among the many available in the library of the Department of History Culture Civilization - Section of Ancient History, via Zamboni 38, 4th floor, under CONS ATL

Teaching methods

Introductory lectures on the study of Roman history  and the methodological problems connected to the source's retrival and analysisi for the reconstruction of this historical period;

In-depth classes on case studies related to some cross-cutting themes of Roman history. During these lessons students will be involved in the reading of textual documentary and literary sources (in the original Greek or Latin and in the Italian translation) and will be guided in the analysis of iconographic and archaeological sources. Students interaction will be welcomed.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be carried out, through an oral exam, aimed to test if studnets can demontarte: 

• Knowledge of the lines of development of Roman history, from the origins to the V century. B.C.; And the institutional aspects of the Roman world;
• Knowledge of the methodology of analysis of ancient sources and documentation also based on the interpretations of modern bibliography;
• the ability to use such knowledge to critically identify events, problems and themes of Roman history, also in the light of the lessons developed in lessons or self-prepared materials;
• capacity of oral expression.

More specifically the exam is typically based on 3 questions:

1. a question about the development of Roman history from its origins to the end of the Republic;
2. a question about the development of Roman history from August to the 5th century. A.D.;
3. a question on institutional and transversal issues;

In the questions, reference will be made to the method of historical reconstruction and the analysis of the sources.

Grading criteria:

Excellent / very good:

• comprehensive and analytical exposition of historical events and institutional issues in all three responses;
• specific and critical recall to the sources behind the reconstruction and the main issues of the scientific debate;
• synthetic organic vision of transversal themes;
• expressive and specific language skills;

Good / satisfactory:

• coincise description and synthetic commentary on the events and themes proposed in all three responses;
• constant reference to sources and to scientific debate, even if in essence;
• awareness of the cross-cutting development lines;
• correct language, even if not always appropriate;

Sufficient:

• basic illustration of the exam material with some circumscribed gap or error in only one of the questions;
• critical analysis of sources only at the examiner's solicitude;
• uncertainty in the reference framework or in evaluating historical development lines or insecurity in correctly explaining transversal themes;
• correct but partially inappropriate language;

Fail:

• Lacks in knowledge of events and lines of historical development in more than one question;
• Lack of critical analysis of sources, gaps in the analysis of sources and poor awareness of analytical methods;
• poor orientation within the overall reference framework and limited ability to describe and explain cross-themes and issues;
• Inappropriate or incorrect language.

Teaching tools

In class we will use PowerPoint slide shows (which will be available in the teaching materials after each week); the slides will contain guidelines for each class; texts and images that will be analyzed and commented in class will also be available in the teaching materials.

 

The volumes of the collection Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, V-VII, Roma, Salerno Editore, 2008-2010 are available in the following libraries:

• Library of the Department of Storia Culture Civiltà – Sezione di Storia Antica, via Zamboni 38, IV piano, under the signature CONS I 91.
• Library of the Department of Storia Culture Civiltà – Sezione Archeologia, piazza San Giovanni in Monte 2, piano terreno, under the signatures ENC SAL / 5-7.
• Library of the Department of Storia Culture Civiltà – Sezione di Scienze del Moderno, Storia, Istituzioni, Pensiero politico, piazza San Giovanni in Monte 2, II piano, under the signature CONSXVIIID 1 (5): only vol. V.
• Biblioteca di Discipline Umanistiche, via Zamboni 36, under the signature SALA CONS. 940 STODEE 5-7.
• Biblioteca Universitaria, Via Zamboni 33, under the signature CONS. 940 BAR.

Finally, I recommend the use of a good historical atlas.

Office hours

See the website of Carla Salvaterra