By the end of the first century CE, Rome was the largest city in the world: with some one million inhabitants, its population would be unmatched in Europe until Victorian London. What made its spectacular growth possible, and what did it mean to be Roman in the most multi-cultural and multi-ethnic city in the world by 100 CE?
The history of the Early Empire is far richer than the names and deeds of emperors and 'great men'. In addition to studying the imperial power at the top, this module will explore the experiences of Rome’s one million ordinary inhabitants at the bottom. The archaeological and literary sources studied will include both the most important literary texts of the Imperial period – which were overwhelmingly written by, for, and about high-status individuals – but students will also focus on the evidence of daily life.
By approaching the first century in this way, this module will recognise what feels truly ‘modern’ about Europe’s first global city. Students will broach questions of democracy, popular politics, economic development and multiculturalism that are more relevant than ever for cities today.
Lecture - 16 hours
Seminar - 16 hours
Main Methods of Assessment:
Practical
Presentation. Details: Group presentation on an historical theme (20%)
Written
Essay (2000 words). Details: essay on analysis and discussion of a specific interpretative question (80%).
Reassessment Method:
Single instrument 100% written assessment (2,000 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
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Explain the reasons for the growth of the city of Rome and its Empire (economic, military, political, and socio-cultural).
2. Contrast the political system of the Principate (27 BCE–96 CE) with that of the Republic and differentiate Imperial and Republican Rome.
3. Interpret of a range of primary evidence (literary and archaeological) for our understanding of Rome in the first century CE.
4. Select relevant modern scholarship on Imperial Rome and analyse the validity of its conclusions in a variety of methods.
5. Appraise the relative strengths and weaknesses of different types of evidence for the history of Rome in the first century CE.
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