ID:
511715
Duration (hours):
36
CFU:
6
SSD:
STORIA ROMANA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Expected learning outcomes are the following:
factual knowledge of Roman History from the Battle of Actium to the Late Empire, and analysis of Roman historical themes from a perspective that encompasses political, economic, and cultural factors;
developing and strengthening the acquisition of a method for the critical understanding of ancient sources within a historical perspective;
acquisition of theoretical and empirical tools to understand specific concepts (propaganda, political communication, global and local history, economic and social history) in relation to Roman History;
understanding the multidisciplinary nature of Roman History through the thematic case studies presented; ability to apply the methodological tools acquired to other fields of study.
Course Prerequisites
Interest in Roman History; some knowledge of World and Cultural History connected to the Ancient World.
Teaching Methods
The first part of the course will consist of lectures. The classes will present a combination of factual issues and problems of historiographical relevance, together with interpretative proposals. Materials will be available on Kiro or distributed in class. Knowledge of the sources is part of the exam syllabus; therefore, even those who are unable to attend classes will still be required to read and study them.
The final classes will be dedicated to blended teaching and will include student presentations as well as lectures. The topic will be chosen by students from those proposed at the beginning of the course. Students may also propose to the instructor additional materials and topics not included in the list.
Assessment Methods
For students attending at least 70% of classes: in-class oral presentation; final oral exam.
The in-class oral presentation (40% of the final mark) aims to assess:
a) the quality of the oral presentation and PowerPoint; adherence to time limits;
b) the quality and originality of the content;
c) consistency with the assigned topic;
d) accuracy and independence in the use of ancient and modern sources.
The oral exam (60% of the final mark) will assess:
a) knowledge of the factual aspects described in the course bibliography and covered in class lectures*;
b) critical understanding of the themes presented in class and individual reflection on the course bibliography.
For students not attending at least 70% of classes: a written paper and a final oral exam, which will include additional bibliography (see the section of this syllabus “Other information”).
The paper will be 7,000 characters in length and will address a topic agreed upon with the instructor; it must be submitted at least 10 days before the date of the oral exam by email in PDF format (30% of the final mark).
The written paper aims to assess:
a) the quality of academic writing; compliance with the required length; adherence to submission deadlines;
b) the quality and originality of the content;
c) consistency with the assigned topic;
d) accuracy and independence in the use of ancient and modern sources.
The oral exam (70% of the final mark) will assess:
a) knowledge of the factual aspects described in the course bibliography and covered in class lectures*;
b) critical understanding of the themes presented in class and individual reflection on the course bibliography.
Other forms of assessment for non-attending students may be granted if adequately justified by the student.
*PLEASE NOTE: both attending and non-attending students must be prepared to answer questions requiring knowledge of dates, military, political, cultural, and economic events related to Roman history. A non-exhaustive list of possible questions includes:
- Discuss the Christianization of the Eastern Provinces;
- Describe the reign of. (the name of a Roman emperor from Augustus to Theodosius the Great);
- Describe the evolution of the role of the Senate from the 1st to the 4th century AD;
- Describe the problem of Christianization in the fourth century;
- Who was Diocletian and from when can we speak of the Tetrarchy?
- What were the underlying causes of the Crisis of the Third Century?
- What was the role of the Sun-God at the beginning of the 4th century AD?
- Who conquered the province of Dacia, when and how? What were the political and economic results of this conquest?
Texts
To pass the exam, ALL students are required to study independently:
The materials distributed in class and notes taken during lectures (including the contents of the presentations).
To be studied independently in preparation for the exam: A History of the Roman People by Celia E. Schultz, Allen M. Ward, F. M. Heichelheim, C. A. Yeo, Routledge 2019 (7th edition), ONLY chapters 19 to 34.
Contents
The course will focus on the problem of tradition in the imperial age. Tradition represented a constant reference in Roman imperial society, and the Romans built their society and culture around the concept of tradition. In light of this premise, the course aims to examine the following issues from a historical perspective:
Does tradition exist? Is there such a thing as a Roman tradition?
What is the difference between tradition and traditionalism?
Is tradition an ideology?
Were the Romans familiar with anti-traditionalism?
What were the instruments (rhetorical, social, political) used to express adherence to the concept of tradition in Imperial Rome?
Course Language
English
More information
Students who are unable to attend the course are asked to contact the teacher (alessandro.maranesi@unipv.it) to agree on the alternative exam program.
Degrees
Degrees
THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN WORLD. HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND ART
Master’s Degree
2 years
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People
People
Teaching staff
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