Politics, Society and Culture from Nero to Hadrian

The subject covers the reign of Nero and the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the Flavian dynasty, and the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian which ushered in what is normally regarded as the most prosperous and peaceful period in the history of the empire. The period is documented by a remarkably rich array and variety of sources – literary, epigraphic, monumental and visual. It offers the opportunity to study the growth and development of the empire, tracing the changes in dynastic power, and the extension of Rome's rule and the processes of ‘romanisation’ in both eastern and western empire. It encompasses a range of synchronic themes which focus on urbanisation, literary and visual culture, building, social and economic developments and cultural interaction in Rome, Italy and the provinces.

Examples of topics studied in this course include: Emperors and the imperial court. Politics, literature and culture in the Neronian court. Literary panegyric and imperial representation. War and imperialism: narrative and iconography. Rome the cosmopolis: the empire on display. Imperial administration: the senate, the equestrian order and the emperor’s service. ‘Romanisation’ and the frontiers of empire. The social world of Pliny and Tacitus. Social status and identity in life and death. Religions old and new. Rome and Judaea – conflict and the emergence of Christianity.

The texts prescribed for study in translation are listed in the Examination Regulation. Attention will be given to relevant archaeological sites and monuments including the following: Nero’s Domus Aurea, the Colosseum, the Forum Pacis, The Arch of Titus, Domitian’s Palace, Trajan’s Forum, the Arch of Trajan at Beneventum, Trajan’s Column, the Great Trajanic Frieze, Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. (Convenor: T. Morgan, Oriel College)