The Romans claimed that their hegemony over a vast empire was in part justified because their rule guaranteed public order in subject communities. In this course, we examine the rhetoric and reality of this claim. The course begins with an examination of how order was maintained in various medieval and early-modern European communities. This will suggest questions that might usefully be asked of Roman society, and models which might be tested against the Roman evidence. Attention will then shift to Rome of the late Republic and Principate. We shall examine the operation of the institutions created to maintain order in the Empire, and the ideology of public order shared by the elites of the Empire. The course will finish with three regional case-studies, which will allow us to conduct a detailed analysis of the course?s themes in the context of three richly documented regions of the Empire.

2,000 word written version of an oral seminar presentation (30%), 5,000 word research essay (70%).

12 two-hour seminars, 2 one-hour lectures.

Any two of HIST6216, HIST6508, ANCH6014, ANCH6009, and CLAS2012 or a major in History or Classics at an undergraduate level. In special cases the coordinator of the course may elect to waive these prerequisites.

Note:Students will not be required to have a knowledge of either Greek or Latin: all sources will be made available in translation.

Nippel, W., 1999, Public Order in Ancient Rome, Cambridge & New York.