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CS92PROD
Rome and the Caesars
CCIV 170
Fall 2008
Section: 01  

The Roman world changed irrevocably with the establishment of the Augustan principate (i.e., when Augustus became first emperor, 27BCE-14CE). But it was only after Augustus' death that the consequences of his reforms became apparent. Rome suffered a turbulent century under a succession of emperors, variously represented as mad, bad, and dangerous to know. In this course we will study the period through contemporary or near-contemporary texts in an attempt to analyze the demoralization of the traditional Roman ruling classes and the slide into autocracy. We will examine the characters and policies of emperors from the period and will discuss the rise of a celebrity culture and the increased importance of public spectacles and entertainments. I expect, too, to look at modern portrayals of the period in the visual media (e.g., Quo Vadis, I Claudius).

Essential Capabilities: None
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Requirement for: None
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on DEC-09-2024
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