Instructor: Prof. Christopher Fuhrmann ()

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HIST3760: Roman Civilization Spring 2017

Monday/Wednesday 2:02-3:20:59, BLB260

Instructor: Prof. Christopher Fuhrmann ()

Office: 264 Wooten Hall Office hours: Wednesday 10:00-11:50, and by appointment

The best way to contact me is via email. If I do not reply to your email within 24 hours of your sending it, I did not receive it and you should re-send it to me or talk to me after class.

Course description:

This class will introduce you to the civilization of ancient Rome, from the sixth century BC to the early first century AD. It will especially focus on a narrative of political-military history from circa 133BC to 14AD, along with various social history and religion topics. There will be discussion of relevant primary sources, especially Plutarch’s Lives.

Course objectives: There are two course objectives: 1.) To learn an enormous amount of information about the Romans—tomeditate upon these people’s stories as a way to appreciate their virtues and understand their vices and failures. 2.) To engage in experiential learning by re-creating one of the best aspects of the Roman world: the complete lack of cell phones. We hates them. If you can’t bear not fondling your toy for 75 whole minutes, drop; it’s very unlikely you would do well here anyway.

Note on learning styles. I teach different types of classes; most of them are centered on discussion of ancient literature and documents. We will be doing some of that here in HIST 3760, but overall, this is a traditional lecture course. Close attention, good attendance, and rapid note-taking are essential skills in this kind of class. If that does not suit your individual learning style, you might consider taking a different class.

Required textbooks (2):

1. Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel J. Gargola, Noel Lenski, and Richard J. A. Talbert, The Romans: From Village to Empire, second edition, Oxford Univ. Press, 2012, ISBN 0-19-973057-5. This will be our main textbook, henceforth referred to as BG(L)T or The Romans.

2. Plutarch, Roman Lives (Waterfield trans). Oxford World Classics, 1999. ISBN 9780199537389

In addition, some primary sources, information packets, and handouts will be distributed via our Blackboard internet space atlearn.unt.edu(log on using your EUID; call 565-2324 for help). I will use this tool extensively to post announcements and materials. Be sure to check it at least twice a week.

Course requirements:

QUIZZES: 15% of your final grade. Expect quizzes on all primary source readings (i.e. writings of ancient authors.) I will not give unannounced quizzes on BGLT readings, but I may quiz on lectures. There will be no make-up quizzes, but I will drop your lowest grade.

EXAMS: 65%. There will be three exams. The first is a mini-exam to show you what to expect; it is worth 10% of your final grade. The second is worth 30%, and the final exam is worth 25% of your final grade. For these exams you willhand-write detailed, long responses to a selection of historical essay questions. You will have some choice in selecting which essays to answer (for instance, you might have to answer 2 out of 5 choices). We will discuss sample essays in a review session, but there will be no study guide. The tests also include literary IDs -- excerpts from primary sources for you to identify and comment on. Some essays on the final exam may recall pre-midterm themes; otherwise, the exams are not cumulative. All exams will include a multiple choice section worth less than a third of the exam grade.

Two short PAPERS, 10% each, 20% total, of your final grade. Papers will be at least 500 words long, but no longer than 1500 (by way of comparison, this page has about 700 words), addressing assigned primary sources throughout the semester. They must be submitted electronically through the Turn It In linkon our Blackboard page before the start of class on the due date. I cannot accept late reaction papers. You are responsible for the proper use of Blackboard and the functioning of your computer (i.e., back up your work religiously, and call UNT tech support {565-2324} if you need help).Everyone must do the first paper (Livy). If you are unsatisfied with your grade on one of these papers, you may opt to do a total of 4 papers.I’ll count your top two grades, dropping the lowest ones.

Participation = +/- 10%, that is, “plus or minus ten points.” “Participation” consists of attendance, making appropriate comments in class discussion, and maintaining proper classroom etiquette. Having more than two absences will lower your grade. In general, you should be engaged, occasionally ask or answer questions, and follow the golden rule: treat me and your classmates as you would want to be treated. Students who adhere to these basic guidelines (as most will) will receive full participation credit, and their final grade will not be affected. Students who do exceptionally well in participation (great attendance and attentiveness, active [but not domineering] in discussions of primary sources, etc.) can receive extra points on their final grade. Students who miss several classes, don’t pay attention, never actively contribute to classroom discussion, or engage in disruptive behavior (e.g. furtive texting) may lose up to 10 points from their final grade. Attendance is most important; for example, I will use attendance and participation to decide borderline grades. In a class of this size and structure, most people’s final grade will not be affected one way or another by participation.

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How to get a good grade in this class: ATTEND CLASS AND TAKE DETAILED LECTURE NOTES.

*Please note: if you have two unexcused absences from between January 23 and February 6, I will have to drop you from the class.*

Important points:

1. If you ever feel the need to appeal a grade you have received on a piece of work, please wait 24 hours, then state your case in writing, and resubmit the graded item with your statement. Keep permanent electronic copies of all papers and take-home essays; keep all graded quizzes, papers, and exams until your final grade is posted. Do the same with all email messages you send me or receive from me.

2. More on classroom etiquette: Turn your cell phones off and PUT THEM AWAY. I DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. No text messaging in class. Don’t read the newspaper, do the crossword puzzle, play solitaire on your laptop, etc., in class. Do not start putting away your things during the last few minutes of class. Above all, do not talk in class. Such behavior could lead to a reduction of your final grade (see “Participation” above).

3. Lateness. I know the difficulties of college life; tardiness does not offend me, but unfortunately, it is distracting when people drift in late. It will also cause you to miss a chance to hear important announcements, sign the class roll, and take quizzes. Leaving early or arriving late will be assessed as a half absence. However, I would rather have you come in late than not at all.

4. Each day, an attendance roll will be passed around, sometimes twice. Make sure you sign it.

5. If you cheat or commit any other act of academic dishonesty, you fail the course, or worse. This includes falsification of attendance records and looking off someone else’s quiz or exam. Papers, take-home quizzes and take-home essays must be individual endeavors (though I encourage you to go to the Writing Lab). I am particularly determined to prevent WEB PLAGIARISM. If you cut and paste from the web on one of your papers or take-home quizzes, I will do everything in my power to have you expelled from the university. The use of unauthorized web-pages (i.e., ones not pre-approved by me) is not permitted. For more information, see .

6. UNT makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking reasonable accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with a reasonable accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request reasonable accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of reasonable accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of reasonable accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of reasonable accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact ODA by phone at 940.565.4323.

7. The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus.

8.Your grade is your own responsibility. That said, I will do what we reasonably can to help you learn and succeed. The most important things you can do to succeed are to attend regularly and take detailed, careful lecture notes. Also do your best to keep up with the primary sources. I am here to help you learn; let me know if you need help, or if you have any questions!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Wednesday,January 18th: Introductions, significance of Roman history, ancient Italy and its people.

Rome’s geographical setting and early history (mythical foundations and archaeology, kings, establishment of the Republic.) The material covered in this lecture is addressed in BGLT 1-6, 24-39; if you attended class this day, reading these pages is optional. If you added the class late, reading them is mandatory. For future class meetings, read the BGLT assignment before class to get the most out of lecture.

MondayJan. 23: Rome’s growth to circa 260BC. See BGLT 39-42, 47, 51-53, and 70-85.

Wed. Jan. 25: Organization and nature of Rome’s public affairs. Assigned reading: BGLT 43-46, 49-51, 53-64, 88-94, 125-29; handouts: Magistrates.doc and VotingAssemblies.doc (Blackboard).

Mon. Jan. 30: the Roman Army to ca. 100BC. BGLT 70-79, 85f, 90-2, 98f, 132-34, 138. If we are running ahead of schedule, we will cover the First Punic War (= BGLT 94-100).

Feb 1: Brief lecture on Roman nomenclature. Exam I. Bring pens or sharp pencils; I’ll bring your bluebook.

Feb. 6: Livy discussion. Read Livy, Book 5 excerpts w/ memo (Blackboard). Always expect a quiz on primary source readings. Be sure to read and print the Livy reading and memo, and to turn in the mandatoryshort paper described therein. If you are unable to complete this short paper, you should strongly consider dropping the class.

Feb. 8:Roman religion, including Rome’s (much later) encounter with Jews and Christians. The character and purpose of Roman religion is treated in BGLT 64-69, 105-6, 130-131, 182; for later periods, note BGLT 339-345, 386f. On Christianity, BGLT 421-26 and the Blackboard reading packet “RomeANDChristianity.doc” (print and bring this short packet if possible, also bring the Livy reading again)

Feb. 13: The Punic Wars, with ramifications in Spain. Read BGLT 94-109, 113-17; bring the Plutarch book.

Feb. 15:Plutarch, Roman Lives, pp. 8-35 (life of Cato the Elder and short paper opportunity; if at all possible, start by reading Stadter’s general introduction to Plutarch, pp. ix-xxvii plus pp. 3-7 on Cato)

Feb. 20: Ramifications of the 2nd Punic War, cont.: Developments in Rome, Italy and beyond, ca. 200-134BC. BGLT 117-24; skim 129-40,read 141-44, with handout, “Background to Tiberius Gracchus.”; Tiberius Gracchus (BGLT 144-48); also read the first part of the Plutarch reading for next time.

Feb 22:The Gracchi. BGLT 148-53; note handout on Gaius Gracchus; Plutarch Roman Lives pp. 77-115 (short paper opportunity on Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus). Discussion, quiz. Review for exam.

Feb 27: Provincial government. BGLT 110-3 (skim 114-24), 167-70, 238-41; If there is extra time, we will cover equites (the equestrian class). BGLT 61-63, 99, 113, 150-1, 169.

Mar. 1:From the death of G. Gracchus, to Marius’ consulships, and death of Saturninus. BGLT 154, 157-67.

March 6: Tribunate of Livius Drusus (91BC), Social Wars, Sulpicius Rufus (Tribune in 88) and Sulla’s first march on Rome. BGLT 170-78. Then, Cinna, Marius’ final consulship (86); Sulla’s return, revenge, and dictatorship. BGLT 178-95, Plutarch Roman Lives 223-231.

March 8: Plutarch, Roman Lives, 116-215 (lives of Marius & Sulla, short paper opportunity)

March 13 & 15: Spring Break, a time of study and quiet reflection. Take Plutarch to the beach.

Mar. 20: From Sulla’s dictatorship to the consulship of Crassus & Pompey; BGLT 196-200; Plutarch Roman Lives 232-242.

Mar. 22: Pompey’s career to the death of Mithridates: BGLT 181-83, 201-8. Preview formation of the 1st triumvirate. Also read Plutarch Roman Lives 242-264.

Mar. 27:Exam II. I will provide the bluebooks you must use; you bring a pen or sharp pencils.

Mar. 29: Developments from 69-60BC, including Caesar’s early career, Catiline’s conspiracy, Cicero’sconsulship, and the First Triumvirate.BGLT 209-24, Plutarch Roman Lives 302-313.

Apr. 3: Events from 59 to 55BC (including Clodius’s fall, and Crassus Pompey’s 2nd consulship) BGLT 224-29; From 54 to 44BC, and the Civil War. BGLT 239-238, Plutarch Roman Lives 262-296, 325-341.

Apr. 5:Caesar’s dictatorships, assassination, civil war; skim BGLT 241-43; read 244-56; Plutarch Roman Lives 341-359.

Apr. 10: Antony, Octavian, the Second Triumvirate, and their civil war. = BGLT 257-78, w/ “44-30BC-Handout”. Expect a quiz on this material at the end of class, or in our next class meeting.

Apr. 12: Roman women, families, and love: BGLT 68f, 154-57, 214f, 264f; 281-83 “CatullusANDLaudatioTuriae.doc” (Blackboard; expect a quiz)

Apr. 17: Antony and Octavian: Paper opportunity, quiz, discussion on Plutarch Roman Lives pp. 360-430 (all of Antony; as always, see Blackboard memo)

Apr. 19: Octavian Augustus as princeps; army reforms BGLT 276-94 (ok to skim 282-88).

Apr. 24: Rome under Augustus; culture & society BGLT 254f, 299-308

Apr. 26: Finally, Augustus in his own words, and the solidification of the Principate. ReadBGLT 305-8 and the Achievements (Res gestae) of Augustus, = “AugustusResGestae.pdf”; other ResGestae or RGDA pdf files are optional, but the excellent introduction (by Brunt and Moore) is highly recommended, esp. if writing a short paper on this topic.

May 1: The early Roman Empire, and later Roman history. Readings TBA.

May 3: Conclusions, catch-up, and review for the final exam.

Final exam:Monday,May 8, 1:30-3:30pm, in our regular class room.