This module examines in detail the history of the Roman Empire from the emergence of the Principate under Octavian/Augustus to the establishment of the Principate 2.0 under Trajan. It will also provide both a survey of a major period of Roman imperial history and an opportunity to study in greater depth the administrative, social, economic and religious developments of this period. Students will read widely from the ancient sources, historical, literary and documentary, and will be introduced to the inscriptional evidence for imperial history. This module will concentrate on the main administrative, social, economic and religious developments throughout the period rather than on the details of political and military history.
Students will read widely in the major ancient sources, including Tacitus, Pliny and Suetonius, and will be introduced to the inscriptional and documentary evidence for imperial history.
Total Contact Hours: 20
Also available at Level 5 under code CL5870
Main assessment methods
Level 6:
Comparative analysis of primary evidence (1200 words or equivalent) - 30%
Magazine Project (2,000 words or equivalent) - 70%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework (2,500 words)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module Level-6 students will be able to:
Articulate coherently the main events, issues and themes in the history of the Roman Empire from the commencement of the Principate of Augustus to the establishment of Trajan's new Principate in the early second century;
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the complex processes relating to administrative, constitutional, social, economic and religious change in the Roman Empire during this period;
Use accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry to examine special features of the period such as the evolution of the imperial bureaucracy and the working of the mechanism of patronage, both in the centre and the provinces;
Have coherent and detailed knowledge of the key evidence for this period (literary, epigraphic, numismatic, papyrological, visual, archaeological), demonstrate an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis of the relevant different kinds of evidence, and be able to use evidence and discipline-specific ideas and techniques to devise and sustain historical arguments and/or to solve historical problems;
Demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables the students to describe, comment, and critically engage with current research on the basis of evidence-based historical arguments while demonstrating an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module Level-6 students will be able to:
Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;
Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem, thereby demonstrating an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;
Communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Exercise initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training at an appropriately advanced level.
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