The Fall of the Roman Republic

Class Description

Inexorable territorial expansion and recurrent social conflicts characterized the Roman Republic during its rise to dominance in Italy and beyond. In surveying the history of ancient Rome from the 130s to 27 BCE, this seminar will treat such topics as the establishment of the republic and its basic political institutions; the Punic Wars and their social and political consequences; the growth of latifundia and increasing dependence on slave labor; the attempted reforms of the brothers Gracchi; the struggle for power between optimates and populares; the conflict between Marius and Sulla, and their supporters; the First Triumvirate of Crassus, Julius Caesar, and Pompey; the slave rebellion of Spartacus and its suppression by Crassus; Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul; the civil war between Pompey Magnus and Julius Caesar; the triumph of Julius Caesar over his opponents and his subsequent assassination; the Second Triumvirate; the relationship of Marc Antony and Cleopatra; the growing conflict between Octavian and Marc Antony; the victory of Octavian and his transformation into Augustus Caesar; the institutions of the Principate; the end of the Republic and beginning of the Empire.

Frank Biletz received his PhD in History from the University of Chicago, with a primary specialization in modern British and Irish history. He is currently Adjunct Instructor in History at Loyola University Chicago and has been teaching seminars at the Newberry since 1994.

What to Expect

Format: In Person

Class Capacity: 24

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged

Materials List

Required

• Tom Holland, Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic. New York: Anchor Books, 2005. ISBN: 978-1400078974.

Recommended

• Plutarch, Fall of the Roman Republic. New York: Penguin Classics, revised edition, 2006. ISBN: 978-0140449341.

First Reading

• Participants should read chapters one and two of the Tom Holland book prior to the first class meeting.

A Brief Syllabus

1. The Founding of the Roman Republic and its Fundamental Social and Political Institutions
2. Increasing Social and Political Strains, 133-78 BCE
3. The Emergence of the First Triumvirate, 78-49 BCE
4. Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey Magnus, 49-44 BCE
5. The Assassination of Caesar and the Second Triumvirate, 43-33 BCE
6. The Triumph of Octavian and the Beginning of the Empire

Cost and Registration

6 Sessions, $270 ($243 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($270), Community Supported ($250), and Sponsor ($290). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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