everything.study
GKROMST 2HC3

CAESAR AND THE RISE OF AUTOCRACY

Undergraduate

Fall 2026 · C01

Topics

  • Introduction to Roman history, the monarchical period, Roman institutions, and the foundation of the republic
  • Ancient authors and understanding history, the "Conflict of the Orders", the conquest of Italy
  • The First and Second Punic Wars and their societal impact, + guest lecturer Kalla Graham: "The Little Carthaginian: Plautus' Punic Portrayals."
  • Tiberius Gracchus, Gaius Gracchus, assignment 1 in class (Oct. 8).
  • Rome after the Gracchi and the rise of factionalism, midterm recap, MIDTERM Oct. 22.
  • Marius and the Roman army, The Social War, and Sulla
  • Legacy of Sulla (guest lecturer Marshall Zuckerman), Spartacus and the rise of Pompey the Great, Cicero and the Catalinarian conspiracy.

Readings

  • The ancient Romans : history and society from the early Republic to the death of Augustus
    Dillon, M., & Garland, L · 2021 · 1st · Required
    Routledge · ISBN 9781315678498
  • The ancient Romans : history and society from the early Republic to the death of Augustus ISBN: 9781315678498 Authors: Dillon, M., & Garland, L Publisher: Routledge Publication Date: 2021 Edition: 1st Available online through the McMaster Library.
    See source
  • Chapter 1
    See source
  • Chapter 2 Livy 4.29. Polybius 6.11-18, 19-42. Livy 5. 47-55.
    See source
  • Chapter 4 Polybius. 10. 2-5, 10-20. Livy. 30. 45. Appian. The Punic Wars , § 57-66. Plautus. Poenulus (The Little Carthaginian) . 894-end.
    See source
  • Chapter 5. (206-249) Sherk 1984. Rome and the Greek East to the Death of Augustus documents: 4, 6, 8, 14, 26.
    See source
  • Chapter 8 - Plutarch. The Parallel Lives. Tiberius Gracchus + Gaius Gracchus
    See source
  • No chapter readings this week. Appian. Civil Wars , 1.1-6 Velleius Paterculus. Roman History. 2.1-7.
    See source
  • Chapters 9 +10 Plutarch. Life of Marius. 7-14. Sallust. The Jugurthine War. 84-87. Appian. Civil Wars. 1. 34-54.
    See source
Sources