CLA 102 CC:THE ROMAN WORLD

An exploration of Roman civilization, tracing the growth of Rome from a small hill town in Italy to the center of a vast and diverse Mediterranean empire. Through examining literature, laws, inscriptions, coins, works of art, and archaeological remains, students will do the work of an historian, uncovering and reconstructing the world of the Romans. How did the Romans succeed in establishing a long-lasting empire in a region that historically has been plagued by political, cultural, and religious divisions? What led to the eventual downfall of Rome? How has Rome influenced (for better and worse) the development of the Western world? The course considers these and other questions, drawing upon interdisciplinary approaches that provide insight into the political, economic, and social systems of the Roman world.