Module CLAS2141: FROM AUGUSTUS TO NERO: THE JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY

Department: CLASSICS AND ANCIENT HISTORY

CLAS2141: FROM AUGUSTUS TO NERO: THE JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY

Prerequisites

• Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide a second-year core of Roman imperial history, which will build upon and extend the learning experience of the new core material at Level 1.

Content

• The history of the Roman empire from Augustus to the downfall of Nero in AD 68.
• The module focuses principally on the developing concentration of imperial power at the centre of government, and how the legacy of the Augustan principate was handled (and mishandled) by the Julio-Claudian emperors.
• Attention is also given to the growth and nature of political opposition to the imperial dynasty.
• Away from Rome, it looks at the wider impact of the new monarchy on the provinces of the empire, seen from the 'centre' and from the perspective of the provincials themselves, and at the government's relations with subjects and 'foreigners' (principally Britain in the West and the Parthian kingdom to the East).
• Students study selected extracts of relevant source material, both literary texts and inscriptions.

Learning Outcomes

• Principal historical developments in the Roman empire in the period in question, and their significance.
• A range of contemporary and later evidence (chiefly literary, but including epigraphic and visual material) relevant to the period in question.
• Familiarity with some issues in modern scholarly debate on the period in question.

• Ability to handle appropriate methodologies necessary to understand diverse range of evidence for the ancient world (chiefly literary, but including epigraphic and visual material).
• Ability to synthesise different forms of evidence in reconstructing a coherent and plausible picture of the history of a specific period of ancient history.
• Ability to evaluate principal modern scholarly discussions relating to a specific period of ancient history.

• Analysis, evaluation and synthesis of a wide range of evidence.
• Selection and application of appropriate methodologies for different kinds of evidence.
• Clear, coherent and effective written argument.
• Good use of written English.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures are appropriate to the imparting of information and of methods of interpretation, of both ancient evidence and modern scholarship.
• classes on source material provide engagement with varieties of historical evidence.
• writing essays enables the assembling and evaluation of material and the formulation of logical and coherent argument, as well as skills in written English.
• tutorials contribute to the critical handling of evidence and facility of discussion.
• final examination tests ability to focus relevantly on historical issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two written assignments, maximum 1500 words each. No collections.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University