STORIA ROMANA

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Mela ALBANA

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to offer students the specific methodological tools for the knowledge of antiquity with a view to an understanding of istitutional, social and cultural dynamics in the Roman world.

The expected learning objectives, according to the Dublin descriptors, are the following:- to know historical theories and models to interpret historical events (DD 1, 1);

to know and be able to analyze the sources (literary, legal, epigraphic and archaeological) concerning the Roman world (DD 2, 1);

to connect the theoretical and methodological contents learned to the interpretation of past, present and future events and processes (DD 2, 1) )

to evaluate the functional tools for historical research (DD 3.2)

knowing how to translate  the analysis of historical contexts into the formulation of problems, objectives and design solutions (DD 3.3). 

Knowing how to communicate the meaning of one's actions (DD4, 1);

knowing how to communicate, argue and present research results to clients and different targets (DD4,2)

- Knowing how to identify unexpected results of research and its possible developments in terms of methodology and impact (DD5, 1)

Course Structure

Frontal classes; guided tours of important archaeological sites; seminars.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Required Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are required.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended, as the use of multimedia tools, the lecturer's explanations and guided visits to archaeological sites will facilitate the learning of fundamental concepts.

Non-attending students may contact the lecturer directly for clarification of the programme. Erasmus students can agree on the examination programme after an interview.

Detailed Course Content

The origins of Rome and the monarchical age;

 Republican Rome: social, political and religious organization;

expansionism into the Mediterranean area;

administration of Italy and the provinces;

Imperial Rome: social and political organization of the Principate;

the Flavians and the Antonines;

the third century: economic problems and social dynamics;

Christianity and Empire;

 the fall of the Western Roman Empire;

the travel in Roman age.

Textbook Information

1-G. Cresci Marrone - F. Rohr Vio - L. Calvelli, Roma Antica. Storia e documenti, Il Mulino, Bologna 2020, pp. 391, or

G. Geraci - A. Marcone, Storia romana, Le Monnier, Mondadori, Milano 2016, pp. 326; or

C. Giuffrida - M. Cassia - G. Arena, Roma e la sua storia, Il Mulino, Bologna 2019, pp. 282.

2– G. Poma (a cura di), La storia antica. Metodi e fonti per lo studio, Il Mulino, Bologna 2016, pp. 7-24; 157-190; 245-258; 309-322.

3– M. Albana, Viaggi femminili in età imperiale romana, in M. Albana, G. Arena, E. Frasca, C. Recca, C. Soraci (eds.), Viaggiare nel Mediterraneo fra antico e moderno, Atti del convegno di studi (Catania, 4-6 ottobre 2021), [Documenti e studi 74], Edipuglia, Bari 2021, pp. 61-82,

4– The use of a historic atlas is recommended:

Atlante storico, Zanichelli (2 Volumi); or

Atlante storico, De Agostini.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1SourcesPoma pp 157-190; 245-258; 309-322.
2Ancient Roman monarchy
3transition from the monarchy to the Roman republic
4 The Conflict between the plebeians and patricians.
5The conquest of the Mediterranean and the Punic Wars
6The Graccan reform
7 Civil war between Marius and Sulla
8Augustus and the empire
9 The Julio-Claudian dynast
10The Flavian dynasty
11The adoptive emperors
12 The  crisis of the third century
13Diocletian
14Constantine
15 Christianity and empire in the 4th-5th centuries
16Decline and fall of the Roman empire
17the Roman's travels

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The examination consists of an oral test.

There are optional oral tests on the first part of the programme (from the origins of Rome to the Augustan age) to be agreed with the professor.

The examination may also be conducted electronically, should conditions require it.

Assessment will be based on

adequacy of expression with regard to content and method;

ability to process knowledge, grasping spatial-temporal and cause-effect connections;

capacity for critical investigation;

lexical correctness.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Sources for Ancient History

Origins of Rome

The monarchy

The transition from monarchy to republic: historiographic tradition and modern theories

Roman institutions in the Republican age

The conflict between patriciate and plebs

The conquest of the Mediterranean and the Punic Wars

The reforms of the Gracchi
Marius and Sulla

The end of the Republic

The principate of Octavian Augustus

The Julio-Claudian dynasty

The Flavian dynasty

The Adoptive Principate (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius)

The Severans and the crisis of the 3rd century

Diocletian and the new order of the empire

Constantine

Christianity and empire in the 4th century

The dissolution of imperial power in the West

The Roman's travels

It should be noted that knowledge of the essential sources on the topics of the course, a correct placing of events in space and time and the identification of cause-effect links are required. The examination is not reduced to a mere exposition of data but tends to verify the skills acquired by the student and his ability to re-elaborate and critically deepen the contents.