Imperial Insanity: Mad Emperors of Rome
Subject ANCW30006 (2011)
Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.
| Credit Points: | 12.50 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level: | 3 (Undergraduate) | ||||||||||||
| Dates & Locations: | This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011: Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
On campus Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here. | ||||||||||||
| Time Commitment: | Contact Hours: 2.5 Total Time Commitment: 84 hours | ||||||||||||
| Prerequisites: | None | ||||||||||||
| Corequisites: | None | ||||||||||||
| Recommended Background Knowledge: | None | ||||||||||||
| Non Allowed Subjects: | 107-213 (Imperial Insanity: Mad Emperors of Rome) | ||||||||||||
| Core Participation Requirements: | For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/ |
Contact
Rhiannon Evans rmevans@unimelb.edu.au| Subject Overview: |
This subject examines the history and representation of Roman emperors often represented as insane or psychopathically tyrannical. During the first three centuries of the Imperial period, major historical sources, such as Tacitus "Annals and Suetonius" Lives of the Caesars, depict the Roman imperial court as a place of intrigue, scandal and corruption, while the actions of the emperor himself are often represented as arbitrary and incomprehensible. This course investigates the prevailing themes of madness and despotism, and considers the reasons why such hostile sources might be generated. Chief attention is given to the emperors Caligula, Nero, Domitian and Commodus, whose reputations for irrationality and psychopathic or savage behaviour are most marked in the historical tradition, both ancient and modern. The development of these narratives in historical fiction, cinema and television, and representations such as those found in I, Claudius, Quo Vadis and Gladiator are studied in relation to the reception of Roman imperial culture. |
|---|---|
| Objectives: | . |
| Assessment: |
A 2500 word research essay 65% (due during the semester), and a 1.5 hour exam 35% (during the examination period). Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five days, no late assessment will be accepted. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject |
| Prescribed Texts: |
A subject reader will be available.
|
| Breadth Options: | This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:
You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects. |
| Fees Information: | Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date |
| Generic Skills: |
|
| Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: |
Ancient World Studies Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major Classical Studies and Archaeology Classical Studies and Archaeology Classical Studies and Archaeology Major |
| Related Breadth Track(s): |
Roman Studies |
Download PDF version.