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Episodes
- S1 E1 - The City on the TiberJanuary 4, 201832minBegin with a simple question: "How did Rome become so powerful?" This core theme will run through much of this course. Here, Professor Aldrete considers the role of the city's geography and the republic's unique political structure, both of which allowed Rome to flourish. #HistoryFree trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E2 - The Monarchy and the EtruscansJanuary 4, 201831minThe rise of Rome begins with a monarchy, though much of the city's early years are shrouded in mystery. Unpack some of the key myths, including the epic of Aeneas and the story of Romulus and Remus, to gain insight into the city's founding. Then reflect on neighboring civilizations such as the Etruscans.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E3 - Roman Values and HeroesJanuary 4, 201830minTales and literature from early Rome give us only partial insight into factual history, but they give us great insight into Roman values - what the Romans themselves identified as qualities of ideal citizens. Examine how a few Roman heroes, like Mucius, Horatius, Lucretia, and others embody values of courage, resourcefulness, determination, and more.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E4 - The Early Republic and Rural LifeJanuary 4, 201829minWitness the transition from the monarchy to the republic - a new era of government that would carry the city through half a millennium. Wade through the mythology and propaganda, as well as Roman historical sources such as the author Livy, to reconstruct how the transition happened, and what the new republic looked like.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E5 - The Constitution of the Roman RepublicJanuary 4, 201831minOne of the most lasting facets of the Roman Republic is its constitution, which inspired America's founding fathers, among others. Continue your exploration of the early republic with a look at its system of government and its different classes of people - citizens and noncitizens, patricians and plebeians, senators, soldiers, and more.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E6 - The Unification of the Italian PeninsulaJanuary 4, 201830minWhat distinguished Rome from neighboring city-states was the republic's dogged persistence in matters of war. Watch as the Romans conquered neighboring territories to gain control of the entire Italian peninsula - and witness defeats against the Gauls to the north and the Greeks to the east. See how the Romans treated those it conquered.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E7 - Roman Religion: Sacrifice, Augury, and MagicJanuary 4, 201830minMost of us are familiar with some of the gods in the Roman pantheon, which included the likes of Jupiter and Mars, but one of the most fascinating aspects of Roman religion was the way it integrated elements from other cultures. Survey Roman religion as well as its institutions and personages such as the Pontifex Maximus and the vestal virgins.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E8 - The First Punic War: A War at SeaJanuary 4, 201831minThe First Punic War is the longest continuous war in Greek and Roman history. Here, delve into the third century B.C.E., when Carthage commanded sea travel throughout the Mediterranean and the Roman Republic was looking to advance beyond the Italian Peninsula. Trace the first war against Carthage.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E9 - The Second Punic War: Rome versus HannibalJanuary 4, 201830minAlthough the First Punic War was a major victory, the Second Punic War was, in Professor Aldrete's words, "the crucible in which the Roman Empire was forged." Encounter the brilliance of Hannibal, learn the strategy and impact of the infamous Battle of Cannae, and see how Roman leaders combatted and eventually defeated him.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E10 - Rome Conquers GreeceJanuary 4, 201832minAlthough the Romans had seen great military and political victory, they were still provincial in many ways until they conquered the Greeks. At that point, Greek civilization entered and began to influence the Romans in unexpected ways. But, as you'll learn in this lecture, the Roman expansion beyond Italy may have been something of an accident.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E11 - The Consequences of Roman ImperialismJanuary 4, 201832minRoman imperialism gave the republic great and far-flung territory, but it left many of its people wanting. Soldiers entered the military expecting riches and glory, only to come home penniless. Meanwhile, conquered people were far from happy. Review how the Romans administered their growing territory - and its effect on those in the home city.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E12 - Roman Slavery: Cruelty and OpportunityJanuary 4, 201831minRome is one of only a few civilizations throughout history to be a true slave state. Here, learn where Roman slaves came from and find out about the nature of their servitude - including what daily life was like for many slaves. Then look at ways slaves could buy or earn freedom, and what life was like for freed slaves.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E13 - Roman Women and MarriageJanuary 4, 201830minBecause Rome was such a patriarchal society, we have few historical records from women's points of view. Nevertheless, historians have been able to deduce much about what life was like for Roman women. Life varied greatly between rich and poor, but women throughout the society were expected to marry and live sheltered lives.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E14 - Roman Children, Education, and TimekeepingJanuary 4, 201829minContinue your study of ordinary Romans - this time with a look at the life of children, which could be quite brutal by today's standards. Learn about their toys and games, and then turn to the system of education. Finally, take a look at the Roman system of timekeeping, which organized the days, months, and years.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E15 - Food, Housing, and Employment in RomeJanuary 4, 201831minFood, shelter, and a livelihood are three of the most basic needs for people everywhere. In this lecture, Professor Aldrete surveys what Romans ate, where they lived, what their homes were like, and what they did for a living. While the upper classes did not work, farming and skilled trades were important jobs throughout the republic.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E16 - The Gracchi Attempt ReformJanuary 4, 201831minBy 133 B.C.E., Roman society was beginning to unravel. Veterans who had lost their fortunes in war, farmers who had lost their land, and neighboring citizens who had been conquered were all disgruntled. Factionalism was starting to emerge within the Roman government. These tensions began to wear away at the republic and attempted reform came from one of the most privileged Roman families.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E17 - Gaius Marius the Novus HomoJanuary 4, 201831minThe late Roman republic was characterized by feuding aristocrats vying for power within the government. Meet Gaius Marius, an Italian warlord who went against the conventional mores and was elected 7 times as a consul. Follow his military exploits in Northern Africa and his rise to power within the republic.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E18 - Sulla the Dictator and the Social WarJanuary 4, 201829minCracks continued to appear in Roman civilization, as the Social War broke out over citizenship and leaders continued to vie for power. Among these leaders was Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who used his military laurels to march into Rome and set himself up as a temporary dictator.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E19 - The Era of Pompey the GreatJanuary 4, 201830minContinue your survey of late republic military leaders. In this lecture, you'll find out about the life of Pompey the Great, who achieved fame and glory as a young man with ambitions as large as Alexander the Great's. Trace the events of the first century B.C.E., including the slave revolt of Spartacus.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E20 - The Rise of Julius CaesarJanuary 4, 201830minThe beginning of the end of the Roman Republic starts with the rise of Julius Caesar. After setting the stage with Caesar's early career, Professor Aldrete explores the dramatic events that led to Caesar's election to the senate as well as his legislative and military victories. Tensions within Roman leadership were high.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E21 - Civil War and the Assassination of CaesarJanuary 4, 201830minThe late republic tensions reached a conflagration the moment Caesar crossed the Rubicon River and led his army toward Rome. Follow the end of his astonishing career, from his exploits in Spain to his war with Egypt to his eventual assassination. Meet Mark Antony and the other conspirators.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E22 - Cicero and the Art of Roman OratoryJanuary 4, 201830minBefore witnessing the denouement of the Roman Republic, pause for a moment to reflect on Roman oratory - an art best practiced by the senator and writer Cicero. Cicero's insights into rhetorical strategy and human nature continue to influence us today - and in his day allowed him to play the role of peacekeeper after Caesar's murder.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E23 - Octavian, Antony, and CleopatraJanuary 4, 201831minFollowing Caesar's assassination, there was a power vacuum in Rome. Caesar's heir Octavian eventually took power, while Caesar's general Mark Antony fled to his lover, Cleopatra. Trace the events from Octavian's rise to Rome's war with Egypt and the suicides of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E24 - Why the Roman Republic CollapsedJanuary 4, 201834minThe course opened with a simple question: "How did Rome become so powerful?" It closes with an equally simple - if equally unanswerable - question: "Why did the Roman Republic collapse?" In this final lecture, Professor Aldrete offers several leading theories, including the possibility that the republic was a victim of its own success.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
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