Find your future
at our Open Days
Book nowat our Open Days
This module is not currently running in 2023 to 2024.
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
Total Private Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours: 150
Main assessment methods:
• Critical Source analysis (800 words) – 25%
• Short Popularising Assessment (800 words) – 25%
• Essay (1,500 words) – 50%
Reassessment method:
• 100% Coursework (2,500 words)
Indicative Reading List.
Alston, R.A. (2014). Aspects of Roman History 21BC – 117 AD, 2nd edition,, Abingdon: Routledge.
Garnsey, P. & Saller, R. (2015). The Roman Empire, 2nd edition, London: Bloomsbury.
Lewis, N. & Reinhold, M. (1990). Roman Civilisation: A Sourcebook, Vol II: The Empire, 3rd edition, New York: Harper & Row.
Millar, F. (1981). The Roman Empire and its Neighbours, 2nd ed, London: Duckworth.
Potter, D.S. (2010). A Companion to the Roman Empire, Oxford: Blackwells.
Richardson, J.S. (2012). Augustan Rome 44 BC – AD 14. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Articulate the main events, issues and themes in the history of the Roman Empire from the commencement of the Principate of Augustus to the death of the Emperor Domitian in AD 96;
2 Demonstrate an understanding of the complex processes relating to administrative, constitutional, social, economic and religious change in the Roman Empire during this period;
3 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;
4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant different kinds of evidence (official, literary, visual and archaeological) and be able to show familiarity with the key documents, and have an understanding of the uses of the different categories of evidence in the investigation of historical problems;
5 Construct historical arguments, orally and in writing, which demonstrate analytical ability, independence of thought and knowledge of the ancient sources, literary and otherwise;
6 Demonstrate familiarity with the ancient sources, historical, literary and documentary, and will be introduced to the inscriptional evidence for imperial history.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate the skills necessary for documentary and textual analysis;
2. Demonstrate more independent thinking;
3 Demonstrate skills and experience in group working;
4 Demonstrate their written communication skills.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.