DSBcA09 History of Ancient Rome I

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 3 credit(s) (plus 3 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: k (colloquium).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc. (lecturer)
Mgr. Bc. Jana Malaníková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. et Mgr. Markéta Melounová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Markéta Melounová, Ph.D.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
The completion of Greek History II in the case of Ancient History students (with the exception of AH - minor).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is:
- to elucidate the problem of the origins of Rome, its evolution from the tribal society to a city state;
- to characterize the functioning of the Roman state institutions and society at the age of the Roman kingdom and the republic;
- to expose the causes and consequences of the creation of Roman Mediterranean hegemony, the Roman policy towards the provinces and foreign nations;
- to find the elements of the Roman historical development functioning in the positive and negative way.
Learning outcomes
On the basis of his/her theoretical knowledge, the student will be able to interpret texts of relevant historical sources, compare the way of life of the Greeks, the Romans and the ancient Oriental societies, evaluate the importance of the ancient Orient, the Etruscans and the Greeks for the development of Roman culture. He/She will be capable of assessing the importance of romanization of a part of Europe and Africa.
Syllabus
  • 1) Geographic and ethnic situation in Italy, the Indo-Europeans and the Iron Age in Italy
  • 2) The origins of Rome according to Roman historiography and modern research
  • 3) Historical and institutional development of the Roman kingdom, society of this age
  • 4) The Servian constitution and the origins of the Roman civitas
  • 5) The problem of cohabitation of the patricians and the plebeians, the equalization of rights of these two groups of Roman citizens
  • 6) Political institutions and the economic situation of the Roman republic
  • 7) The conquest and administration of Italy by the Romans
  • 8) The age of Punic wars from the perspective of military and social development of the Roman state
  • 9) The administration of provinces in the Republic, the issue of romanization of the provinces, hellenization of the Romans
  • 10) The causes of the political and economic crisis of the Roman republic, the attempts to solve the problems of Roman agriculture and army. Roman social politics.
  • 11) Roman conquests at the end of the Republic. Political factions of the Late Republic. Liberty and other life values of the Romans.
  • 12) The issue of Roman citizenship.
  • 13) Romano-barbarian issues.
  • 14) The Optimates and the Populares. The Roman state in time of civil wars and the significance of Caesar's activities.
  • 15) The main cultural benefit of the Republican period. The assessment of the Roman political system under the Republic. Political theories and practice.
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminars in multimedia classrooms, free questions of students, reading and interpretation of historical sources.
Assessment methods
Exam based on the knowledge gained during the lectures and by individual preparation.
The seminar: compulsory attendance (70 %), active class participation, presentations during the semester.
For students, who have chosen exam as evaluation: It is only possible to register for the exam after completing the seminar!
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on completion of the course: Studenti Dějin starověku ukončují zkouškou. Studenti jiných oborů ukončují kolokviem.
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Note related to how often the course is taught: dvakrát týdně (přednáška, seminář); seminář je povinný pouze pro studenty Dějin starověku.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/DSBcA09