HIST 5293 - World of Late Antiquity: Culture and Society in the Late Roman Empire

Beginning in the third century, the mighty Roman Empire began its slow but inevitable decline and fall, brought to a decisive end by the barbarian invasions of the late fourth and fifth century, epitomized by the sack of Rome by Goths in 410 and Vandals in 455, and terminated with the deposition of the last western emperor in 476. That is one vision of the period sometimes called Late Antiquity. The other vision sees the transformation of classical culture, closely related to the emergence of Christianity, and diverse political and social changes that would live on long after the imperial political order disappeared in the west. This course will take account of both these visions, with a strong preference for continuity over decline. Readings and lectures will explore important aspects of political, intellectual, religious, and social change. Discussions and written assignments will depend on the interpretation of primary sources, including a wide variety of literary and material evidence. The course is a bridge between the courses on the Roman Empire and Barbarian West, but students are not expected to have taken either course.

Requisites

Credit Hours: 4.0
Repeat/Retake Information: May be repeated for a maximum of 8.0 hours.

Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture

Eligible grades: A-F,WP,WF,FN,FS,AU,I