Undergraduate Modules

The Severans and the Secrets of the Empire              

MODULE CODE:       TBC     

OPTION:  AH

TAUGHT:  Lent term

MODULE AUTHOR:  Dr Marta Garcia Morcillo      

LEVEL:  5 & 6                          

CREDITS:  20                                                                     

TEACHING METHODS:                     

Lectures:  20 hours(10%)

Seminars:  4 hours (2%)

Field visits:  n/a

Directed Learning:  60 hours (30%)

JACS CODE:  V110   

AIM(S)

To enable students to:

• study the main political, military cultural, social and economic events of the period
• understand the Severan dynasty as a key moment to understand the developments of the Empire along the third century.
• increase knowledge on different sources reporting about the period in Italy and the provinces.
• develop structural and long term analytical skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module students should be able to: 

A.  Subject specific skills and knowledge:

All students:

• be able to identify the main historical events and developments in the period.
• have a thorough knowledge  of  the  relevant  ancient  evidence  and  modern  literature.
• use competently the relevant  literary,  epigraphic, numismatic and archaeological evidence.
• identify and discuss diverse historiographic tendencies and controversies

In addition level 5 students should be able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge of the relevant  ancient  sources.
• interpret the modern literature on the period.

In addition level 6 students should be able to:

• analyse and access systematically the relevant ancient sources.
• access critically the modern literature on the period.

B. Transferable skills and knowledge:

• demonstrate appropriate written skills
• present written work in a manner appropriate for a relevant/professional audience
• access and employ the relevant e-resources for the course
• demonstrate their critical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• demonstrate independent learning skills through the use of the library and electronic resources

CONTENT

This module provides an overview of the Roman empire under the Severans (AD 193 to 235). Being the first Roman emperor born in Africa (Leptis Magna), Septimius Severus inaugurated a dynastic power firmly fundamented in the military force and the marginalization of the senatorial class. The course will analyse the major events of the period, described among others by authors such as Cassius Dio, Herodian, Aurelius Victor, Eutropius or the Christian Tertullian. Particular attention will be devoted to the reform of the pretorian guard, to the so called constitutio antoniniana, granting with the Roman citizenship to all free people who lived in the Roman Empire, and of course to internal and external conflicts, such as the military campaigns against the Parthians. The Severan reign experienced also noteworthy cultural phenomena, such as the blooming of Roman jurisprudence and important developments and reforms affecting the municipal life of the provinces (particularly in North Africa). The course will further examine the historical depiction of Septimius Severus, Geta, Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabal and Severus Alexander, but also of influencial female figures of the court, such as Julia Domna, wife and mother of emperors. We will also scrutiny the end of the dynasty and its consequences, followed by more than fifty years of political, military and economic instability.

ASSESSMENT

Level 5:

Examination: One two-hour exam (50%)

Coursework: one 1,000 word exercise (20%)

                         one 2,000 word essay (30%)

Level 6:

Examination: One two-hour exam (50%)

Coursework: One 3,000 word essay  (50%)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Essential

• Grant, M. The Severans: The Changed Roman Empire: The Roman Empire Transformed, London-NY 1996.

Recommended

• Birley, A.R. Septimius Severus : the African emperor, London 1971.
• Levick, B. Julia Domna: Syrian Empress, London-NY 2006.
• Platnauer, M. The life and reign of the emperor Lucius Septimius Severus, Rome 1965.
• Potter, D.S. The Roman Empire at Bay, AD 180-395, London 2004.
• Southern, P. The Roman empire from Severus to Constantine, London-NY 2001.
• Swain, S., Harrison, S., Elsner, J. Severan Culture, Cambridge 2007.

Updated: 10/09/2009

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