CLS 129 - History of the Roman Empire

Course Units: 1

(Spring; Mueller) The Roman Empire from the rise of Octavian (later called Augustus) to decline, conversion, and final collapse circa AD 476. Augustus established Roman rule on the basis of his legions, a monarchy cloaked as republican government, and religious innovations that included formal worship of the emperor as a god on Earth. This system endured for centuries, but faced increasingly violent threats both from outside (Germanic tribes, Persians, Parthians) and from within (revolts, rebellions, Christians). How did Rome manage to endure as long as it did and why did Rome fail? CC: HUL, HUM, LCC