The History of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was responsible for the mobilization of vast armies, the coordination of complex governments, the direction of diverse economies, and the spread of Romanized culture throughout the Mediterranean and much of Europe. But what was the real nature of this institution? Who were its leaders? What role did Roman culture play in establishing and defining an imperial identity? To what extent did people under Rome’s political aegis consider themselves to be Roman and what effects did this have on the nature of Roman rule? In this course, we explore these and other questions as we examine the history of the Roman world from the end of the Republic in the first century B.C.E. through the triumph of Constantine in the fourth century C.E.

Last taught: Spring 2018 at Claremont McKenna College

Resources: Syllabus | Schedule | Cheat Sheet | Writing Assignment Grading Standards | Writing Assignment Sample Rubric

Special thanks to Shane Bjornlie for sharing materials that helped me develop The History of the Roman Empire.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me for access to additional resources pertaining to this course.