LAPI 820 - Rome From Julius Caesar Through Nero

This course is a study of the transition of Rome from a Republic to an Empire, focusing on the Julio-Claudian line, which began with Julius Caesar and ended with Nero. This course examines the historical background and the religious, social, and economic issues that facilitated such a transition. Accompanying the transition was a flourishing of poetry, due in part to the patronage system and in part to increased literacy of the Roman people. Economic prosperity among the upper classes led to an increased demand for architecture, visual arts (painting and sculpture), and public entertainment (theater, music and dance, spectacles, gladiatorial combats). At the same time, the division among the social classes became even more dramatic, and government censorship and intrusion into private life emerged as major concerns under Augustus. Through the use of primary sources, class handouts, and independent study, students are encouraged to investigate the transition from Republic to Empire and to explore possible parallels in contemporary U.S. history.

Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisite: LACR 102 and LACR 210

Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs