Course Content (Syllabus)
Introduction to the History of Rome under the Republic and the Principate (5nd c.B.C. – 3rd c.A.D.). Emphasis on political institutions, administration and social structure of the Roman State in the period of the Libera Res Publica and after the formation of the Principate (principatus).
Week #1 The Periods of Roman History. The sources for Roman History. Ancient Greek and Latin Historians of Rome. The Beginnings of the Roman State.
Week #2 Organization and Institutions of the Res Publica: Patricians, Plebeians and the Struggle of Orders. The Senate, the Magistrates and the Assemblies of Citizens
Week #3 Roman Expansion to Italy: Rome’s relations with the Latins, the Wars against the Samnites, the War against Pyrrhus.
Week #4 Roman Expansion to the Western Mediterranean: Punic Wars and the Creation of Provinces in Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and Africa.
Week #5 Roman Expansion to the Greek East: Macedonian Wars, the War against Antiochos III, the Creation of Provinces in Macedonia and Asia.
Week #6 Organization and Exploitation of the Roman Provinces (2nd-1st c. B.C.). The Consequences of the overseas Expansion in Italy. The 2nd c. B.C. Crisis and the Reforms of the Gracchi.
Week #7 The gradual Collapse of the Res Publica: the Rise of Marius, the Social War, The 1ST Mithidratic War. Marius against Sulla. Sulla’s Reforms.
Week #8 The gradual Collapse of the Res Publica: The Rise of Pompey, Crassus and Caesar, the 3rd Mithridatic War, the 1st Triumvirate.
Week #9 The gradual Collapse of the Res Publica: Caesar against Pompey, Caesar’s Dictaorship and Assassination, the 2nd Triumvirate, the battles of Philippi and Actium
Week #10 The Principate of Augustus: Administrative and Military Reforms. Augustus’ Conquests.
Week #11 The Iulio-Claudian and Flavian dynasties.
Week #12 The Height of the Empire in the 2nd century AD: The Age of the Antonines, the central and provincial Administration, the Cities of the Empire, the Proliferation of Roman Citizenship.
Week #13 The Principate of Commodus, the Severi and the 3rd century Crisis.
Additional bibliography for study
G. Alföldy, Ιστορία της ρωμαϊκής κοινωνίας (μετάφραση Άγγελος Χανιώτης), Αθήνα 1992.
P. Garnsey, R. Saller, Η Ρωμαϊκή Αυτοκρατορία. Οικονομία, κοινωνία και πολιτισμός (μετάφραση Β. Ι. Αναστασιάδης, επιμέλεια Γ. Α. Σουρής), Ηράκλειο 1995.
M. Crawford, The Roman Republic, London² 1992.
C. Wells, The Roman Empire, London 1984.
A. Lintott, Imperium Romanum. Politics and Administration, London 1993.
M. Sartre, L’Orient romain. Paris 1990.
N., Rosenstein, R. Morstein-Marx (επιμ.), A Companion to the Roman Republic, Oxford 2006.
D. Potter, (επιμ.), A Companion to the Roman Empire, Oxford 2006.