CC 302: Introduction to Ancient Rome

November 30: Rome, 235-2004 AD

I. Lingua Latina

Regarding some emperors

• Evulgato imperii arcano (Tacitus on the deposition of Nero)
• Puto deus fio (allegedly Vespasian's last words)
• Felicior Augusto, melior Traiano (Senate's wishes for new emperors)

Some Graffiti from Pompeii

• C. Pumidius Dipilus Heic Fuit
• Augii Amat Allotenum
• Philiiros spado

Roman Life and Society

• Praesens divus habebitur Augustus (Horace)
• Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus (Cicero).

On architecture

• Urbem latericium invenit, marmoream reliquit (Augustus)
• Roma domus fiet (said of Nero's domus aurea)
• M. AGRIPPA L. F. COS. TERTIUM FECIT

On Rome's Last Centuries and Legacy

• In hoc signo vinces
• Roma aeterna
• Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis

II. Course evaluations Thursday: Please bring a pencil

III. Final Exam: Saturday, Dec. 11, 9-12, Art 1.102
Details on Thursday

IV. Central events and reigns after 235 CE

• "The Barracks Period": 235-284
• Diocletian: 284-305
• Constantine: 312-337
• Abdication of Romulus Augustulus: 476
• Justinian: 527-565

V. Pondering Rome's Fall

• Why?
  210 Reasons Given for the Fall of Rome
• Modern Analogies: Are they valuable?

VI. Rome's Legacy: Some Examples

• The Byzantine Empire (lasts until 1453)
• The Holy Roman Empire (lasts from 800 until 1806)
• Rome in the Americas

Images to accompany discussion

Back to CC302 home page