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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : History, Classics and Archaeology

Undergraduate Course: Personalities and Politics at the Court of the Caesars (LLLE07039)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryAn introduction to the Roman Empire in the Julio-Claudian period (c. 14-68CE). The course will assess the contributions of emperors from Tiberius to Nero, and consider the political and social developments of the period and the expansion of the empire.
Course description ¿ Introduction to the Julio-Claudian period: the Augustan legacy; Julians and Claudians
¿ The emperor Tiberius: the early years in Rome (14-26 CE)
¿ Tiberius (26-31 CE) - government from Capri; the rise and fall of
Sejanus
¿ Tiberius - the final years (31-37 CE); the accession of Gaius/Caligula
¿ The reign of Gaius/Caligula (37-41 CE)
¿ The emperor Claudius (41-54 CE) - accession and early achievements
¿ Claudius (ii) - conquest of Britain; citizenship issues; provincial policy
¿ Claudius (iii) - Senate and Court
¿ The Principate of Nero at home and abroad (54-62 CE)
¿ Nero - the descent into tyranny (62-68 CE) - overthrow and death of Nero; general assessment of the Julio-Claudian period


This course follows on from an existing OLL course, Augustus and Imperial Rome (not a prerequisite for this course). Making extensive use of primary sources, written (in translation) and material, this course will assess the characteristics and development of the Roman Empire during the Julio-Claudian period. Developments in government and in the provinces will be explored, including analysis of the senate and court, and provincial policy. Complementing this overview, the personalities and influence of individual emperors will be considered.

Students will engage with the primary source material available for this period, both written and physical, and will be encouraged to assess critically the events and achievements of this era of the Roman Empire.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs 0
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. demonstrate an understanding of the early Roman empire, its politics, governance and expansion;
  2. demonstrate through oral contribution in classes, and through the assessment where applicable, an ability to analyse the primary sources in translation, and to handle critically the secondary sources (in English);
  3. demonstrate, through oral contribution in classes, and through the assessment where applicable, an ability to conduct research and to structure ideas;
  4. demonstrate, through oral contribution in classes and through the assessment where applicable, an ability to organize their own learning and to manage their workload.
Reading List
¿ Goodman, M., 1997. The Roman World 44 BC - AD 180. London: Routledge.
¿ Scullard, H. H., 1988. From the Gracchi to Nero. 5th edition. London: Routledge.
¿ Wells, C., 1992. The Roman Empire. 2nd edition. London: Fontana.
¿ Kelly, C., 2006. The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills ¿ Critical thinking.
¿ Handling and analysis of sources.
¿ Oral discussion.
¿ Time management.
Special Arrangements N/A
Study Abroad N/A
KeywordsAncient Rome
Contacts
Course organiserDr Sally Crumplin
Tel:
Email: Sally.Crumplin@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk
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