Rome is usually credited with spreading civilisation from the northern fringes of Celtica to the edge of the Sahara. Sure enough, recognisably Roman architecture flourished far from the Empire’s core, and the ancient historian Tacitus bragged about how subjugated peoples gratefully adopted the trappings of their new overlords, but archaeology tells a more nuanced story. Occupied communities did not simply accept the new technology, artefacts, and even foodstuffs that the Empire offered. Instead, they embraced these new modes of expression in ways that were meaningful to them, creating a pick and mix approach to the uptake of Mediterranean culture. Equally, Roman traditions could merge with local ones, creating unexpected and sometimes beautiful new styles. But as Rome’s dominion grew, so too Rome was itself changed. The Empire’s famous transport arteries saw raw materials, ideas, and even soldiers flowing back towards the centre. This course is concerned with how the rise and fall of an empire unleashed change, from beyond the furthest tips of the provinces to the eternal city itself.
In order to understand why this change happened, and what it meant for life within the Empire, we focus on five key topics: how Rome grew into a superpower, what impact its highway system had, the role of the military, the relationship between town and rural life, and the impact of Roman religion. Along the way, we will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence available for studying the Roman past, and how the different ways they have been employed have conjured very different impressions of Rome. Exposing the vibrant variety obscured by the veneer of Roman civilisation allows us to glimpse a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable world.
Learning outcomes
- Ability to analyse the strengths and weakness of the evidence available for studying Rome;
- Understanding of the core elements of Roman civilisation;
- Development of transferable skills to assess the complexity and significance of cultural change.
