Course Catalogue

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This course examines the political history of the Roman Empire during the fifth century AD, with a close focus on the social, political, and economic causes and effects of the end of Roman power in Western Europe. It will examine the emergence of the so-called barbarian kingdoms and also ask students to think about the relationship between the Eastern and Western Roman Empire. Above all, it will explore the question of why Empires fall. 

5x1hr lectures, 5x1hr seminars shared with CLASSIC4085.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Classics, Latin, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.

CLASSIC4085

None

Exam (2-hour duration) - 50%

Essay (2,500 words) - 50%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Introduce the political history of the fifth century AD, with a focus on three main themes: 1. The breakdown of West Roman Power; 2. The emergence of barbarian 'successor kingdoms'; 3. The survival of the East Roman Empire

■ Explore the ideology of the later Roman state and the way in which that ideology affected decision making at macro and micro levels

■ Explore the relationship between centre and periphery in the late Roman world and the way in which crisis effected local populations.

■ Engage in the original with Latin texts written in the late fourth and fifth century and examine the emergence of new linguistic forms in the Latin or late antiquity

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the major events of fifth century history

■ Unite written and archaeological sources to build a rounded picture of fifth century history

■ Employ literary and legal texts to explore the impact of macro policies at micro level

■ Read a selection of Late Roman Latin texts with appreciation of stylistic and syntactical nuances

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.