This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
This course will trace the origins and development of the Roman people from their birth as an iron age tribe on the banks of the Tiber to their emergence as a world empire.
Total classes: 12
Prerequisite: None, but The Glory of Greece (available through Unlimited Access) is highly recommended.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Suggested credit: 1 full semester History or World History
Description
This course will trace the origins and development of the Roman people from their birth as an iron age tribe on the banks of the Tiber to their emergence as a world empire. Besides conventional history, the course will also look at the cultural life of the Romans (religion, art, literature) as well as show how the early Church was born out of the Roman milieu of the first, second, and third centuries. Toward the last few weeks, Roman history and Church history fuse together as the world transitions from Rome to the Middle Ages.
Outline
Class 1: The Dawn of Rome
Class 2: The Conquest of Italy
Class 3: Punic Wars
Class 4: Dissolution of the Republic
Class 5: The Julio-Claudians
Class 6: The Antonines
Class 7: Roman Culture, Religion and Society
Class 8: Crisis of the Third Century
Class 9: The Glory of Constantine
Class 10: Church and Empire
Class 11: The End is the Beginning
Class 12: The Roman Contribution
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: There are three different resources required for this course:
(1) Textbook: The Romans: An Introduction by Anthony Kamm; 1st or 2nd editions will work, although there might be minor inconsistencies with chapter headings and pagination that you may encounter. Assignments in this course are based on the 1st edition (ISBN: 978-0415120401) but the 2nd edition works as well.
(2) Sourcebook: The Life and Times of the Ancient Romans Primary Document Sourcebook, which you can purchase in the form of a PDF file by clicking this Paypal link. The sourcebook contains primary source readings from ancient authors and is necessary to complete the essays. The PDF file is 131 pages and will be emailed to the address you use for Paypal within 2 days of purchase.
(3) Answer Key: This is provided for free. You can download the password-protected PDF at the bottom of this section.
Homework: Textbook and primary source readings with weekly quizzes (automated for instant feedback) and essay questions graded by parents using the answer. Expect to spend approximately 3 hours per week on homework outside of the classroom.
