Key facts
UNE unit code: ANCH313
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2025
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
In 31BC Augustus emerged as the undisputed master of Rome. But the battle for the hearts and minds of Rome's citizens remained.
In this unit, you will examine by what means Augustus brought about the reconstruction of Rome after nearly a century of civil war. Particular attention is paid to the language of leadership in the Triumviral Period (44-31BC), the mechanisms of power and persuasion used by Augustus to establish and maintain his Principate (31BC-AD14), the strategies by which he secured the cooperation or coercion of Roman society, and the visual and verbal language developed to express and legitimate the new order.
The unit draws on a variety of ancient literary and archaeological evidence to illuminate Augustus' impact on Roman politics and society, and to assess his achievements.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
There are two options for Assessment 3. Students must complete either an Essay or a Take Home Exam. See assessment information for further details.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical understanding of Roman politics, leadership, and society in Triumviral and Augustan Rome, and of the differences in the political systems of these periods;
- independently research political and historical theories about Roman leadership, politics, and society in the Triumviral Period and Augustan Age, thereby demonstrating autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility as a learner;
- review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge about political leadership and the reconstruction of Roman society in the Triumviral Period and Augustan Age from both written and non-written primary and secondary sources with competence;
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the rhetoric of political leadership in Triumviral and Augustan Rome, reflect critically on the theory of Roman governance, and apply these concepts to the analysis of political interests, institutions, and political behaviour in these periods;
- generate and critically evaluate complex ideas and concepts about political leadership, governance, society and history in Triumviral and Augustan Rome, and especially about the political institutions, social structures, and verbal and visual languages used to establish Augustus' new political regime; and
- display well-developed writing skills through the communication of a clear, coherent, evidence-based written argument dealing with theoretical propositions and conclusions about political leadership and social reconstruction in the Triumviral and Augustan periods.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Online Analysis No. Words: 1000 |
Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Essay of 2000 words consisting of a 200 word synopsis and a 1800 word essay. No. Words: 2000 |
Assessment 3-OPTION A | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Take Home Exam No. Words: 2000 |
Assessment 3-OPTION B | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Essay No. Words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Res gestae divi Augusti: Text, Translation and Commentary
ISBN: 9780521601283
Cooley, A.E., Cambridge University Press 2009
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Augustan Rome 44 BC to AD14: the Restoration of the Republic and the Establishment of the Empire
ISBN: 9780748619559
Richardson, J.S., Edinburgh University Press 2012
Text refers to: All offerings
Augustus
ISBN: 9780748615957
Edmondson, J. (ed), Edinburgh University Press 2014
Text refers to: All offerings
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