Download HIST-UA 105 (= CLASS-UA 267) The History of the Roman Republic

HIST-UA 105 (= CLASS-UA 267)
The History of the Roman Republic
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2.00-3.15; Silver 101A
In the sixth century B.C., Rome was an obscure village. By the end of the fourth century B.C., Rome
was master of Italy; by the end of the third century, it was the dominant power in the Western
Mediterranean. Within another 150 years, Rome had taken control of the entire Mediterranean
world, as well as the whole of continental Europe south of the Danube and west of the Rhine. This
phenomenal imperial growth went hand in hand with the development of political institutions at
Rome which sought to manage internal conflict between classes and individuals. Yet in the final
century of the Republic that political system collapsed into civil war, as a succession of leading
generals, such as Sulla and Marius, Caesar and Pompey, sought to manoeuvre themselves into
power.
This course will trace the political and military development of the Roman Republic, starting from
its earliest beginnings and concluding with the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C; we will seek
in the light of modern research to explain both the Romans’ successes in expanding their empire,
and the ultimate failure of the Roman Republic’s constitutional framework.
For further information on the course, contact Professor David Levene ([email protected]).