Module 6: The Roman Kingdom, Republic, and Empire

Ancient Rome was characterized by three distinct periods—the Roman Kingdom (from the eight to the sixth century B.C.E.), the Roman Republic (from the sixth to the first century B.C.E.), and the Roman Empire (from the first century B.C.E. to the fifth century A.D. for the Western Roman Empire and to the fifteenth century in the Eastern Roman Empire). How Rome evolved from a monarchy to an oligarchic republic and then to an autocratic empire will be the subject of this unit. During these three phases, innovative ideas about government, law, art, philosophy, and architecture became prominent facets of Roman society—and remain relevant in modern times. However, many of these new ideas emerged during periods of political instability and continuous warfare. In this unit, we will study the creation of republican Rome and the rise of the Roman Empire, while also paying special attention to the violent and volatile nature of this ancient polity. We will also examine the major features of Roman society and culture.

Time Advisory

This unit will take you 18 hours to complete.

Section 6.1 The Roman Kingdom and the Rise of the Roman Republic: 5 hours
Section 6.2 Roman Culture and Society: 6 hours
Section 6.3 The Roman Empire: 5 hours
Section 6.4 Emergence of Christianity: 1.5 hours
Section 6.5 Module 6 Quiz: 0.5 hours

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Identify causes, main events, and consequences of Roman expansion in the Mediterranean.
Identify the origins of the Roman Republic and evaluate the impact of political and economic expansion on Roman society.
Assess the political, social, and economic factors that led to the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Compare the differing modern views on and interpretations of vital concepts, such as the nature of Roman democracy and imperialism.
Identify the reasons for Rome's success in government both externally and internally as it integrated a diverse world into a stable and pragmatic empire.
Assess the political, social, and cultural legacies of Roman civilization.
Analyze the religious crisis posed by Christianity and the stages by which the Empire adjusted the new revolutionary religion into a new cultural amalgam.

Section 6.1 The Roman Kingdom and the Rise of the Roman Republic

Please read William C. Morey’s Outlines of Roman History: “Chapters I-XXII” in order to get a sense of the Roman Kingdom as well as the subsequent rise, expansion, and fall of the Roman Republic.

Outlines of Roman History: Chapters I - XXII

Please read the entirety of the lecture in order to get a sense of the downfall of the Etruscans and the emergence of early Rome.

Early Roman Civilization

Please read this article in its entirety to get an understanding of the Etruscan civilization.

Etruscan Civilization

Please read the whole lecture in order to get a sense of the nature of the Roman Republic.

Republican Rome

Question & Answer

Section 6.2 Roman Culture and Society

Please read “Book the First” and use Professor Al Drake’s (UC-Irvine) Study Guide. Please, feel free to read other books in The Metamorphoses.

The Metamorphoses

Study Guide for The Metamorphoses

Responding Guide for The Metamorphoses

Question & Answer

Section 6.3 The Roman Empire

Please read Chapters XXIII-XXIX in order to get a sense of the creation and demise of the Roman Empire.

Outlines of Roman History: Chapters XXIII - XXIX

Please read the entirety of the lecture in order to get a sense of the development of the Roman Empire, the rise of Augustus Caesar, and the crises of post-Augustan Rome.

Agustus Caesar and the Pax Romana

Please read the entirety of the lecture, which analyzes the many theories that scholars have posited to explain the collapse of ancient Rome.

The Decline and Fall of Rome

Question & Answer

Section 6.4 Emergence of Christianity

Please read the whole lecture, which discusses the role of early Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Christianity as a Cultural Revolution

Please read the entire article in order to get a sense of the reasons behind the Romans’ persecution of Christians

Christianity and the Roman Empire

Question & Answer

Section 6.5 Quiz

Please take the assigned quiz and submit for grading. This quiz pertains to Chapter 7 of the textbook World Civilizations: The Global Experience, published by Pearson Education.

Module 6 Quiz