Qualifying Examination for students in the Ancient History Emphasis (Common Comprehensive Exam in Greek and Roman History for students in other Emphases)
Form: half Greek, half Roman
- 1 hour 12 short identifications: 6/10 Greek, 6/10 Roman
- 1 hour (2/4 essays) on Greek history
- 1 hour (2/4 essays) on Roman history
Syllabus:
All books listed are available in the Library, either in the stacks or in the Reserve Room. Additional copies are available in the department.
The examiner (a) will choose all identification questions from the items listed under each topic and (b) specify the essay topics as given below.
Directions:
- For each identification, write a brief paragraph specifying the who, what, when, where, and why of the identification, including its broader historical significance. The purpose of the identifications is to help you gain narrative control over the main events of Greek history. Please note that preparing for the identifications is the best way to solidify your overview of the period for the essays.
- For the four required topics on the exam, write a brief essay (one-half hour) for each. Students are strongly encouraged to consult, become conversant with, and refer to primary sources that bear on each discussion.
Greek History
Required Book:
- Ian Morris and Barry B. Powell, The Greeks: History, Culture, and Society (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2006).
The following source books (available in the department) contain translations of primary sources:
- Michael Crawford and Davis Whitehead, Archaic and Classical Greece: A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation (Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1983).
- M. M. Austin, The Hellenistic World From Alexander to the Roman Conquest: A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation (Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1983).
Topics:
1. Prehistoric, "Dark Age," and Homeric Greece
Readings: Morris and Powell, chaps. 4-7 (pp. 42-147)
Identifications:
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2. Formation of City-States in Archaic Greece; Athens & Sparta
Readings: Morris and Powell, chaps. 8-10 (pp. 148-220)
Identifications:
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3. The Persian Wars
Readings: Morris and Powell, chaps. 11-12 (pp. 221-267)
Identifications:
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4. Rise of the Athenian Empire in the 5th Century; The Athenian Empire under Pericles
Readings: Morris and Powell, chaps. 13-15 (pp. 268-333)
Identifications:
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5. The Peloponnesian War
Readings: Morris and Powell, chap. 16 (pp. 334-364)
Identifications:
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6. The Rise of Macedonia and Philip II in the Fourth Century; The Conquests of Alexander
Readings: Morris and Powell, chaps. 17-19 (pp. 365-437)
Identifications:
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7. The Hellenistic World; The Arrival of Rome
Readings: Morris and Powell, chaps. 20-22 (pp. 438-530)
Identifications:
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Roman History
Required Books:
M. Cary and H. H. Scullard, A History of Rome, 3rd ed. (New York: St. Martin's, 1975 or later).
N. Lewis and M. Reinhold, Roman Civilization: Sourcebook, I: Republic, II: Empire (New York: Columbia University, 1951). N.B: page refs. are to first ed.
Topics:
1. Conflict of the Orders; Early Wars of Rome
Readings:
Cary-Scullard, chaps. 7-9 (pp. 62-83)
Lewis-Reinhold I, chap. 2 (pp. 70-89), chap. 3 (pp. 89-126)
Identifications:
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2. Domestic Politics; Age of the Gracchi; Marius and the Army
Readings:
Cary-Scullard, chaps. 18-19 (pp. 177-185, 186-188), chaps. 20-21 (pp. 203-221)
Lewis-Reinhold I, chap. 5 (pp. 223-264)
Identifications:
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3. (So-called) "First" and "Second" Triumvirates
Readings:
Cary-Scullard, chaps. 26-28 (pp. 248-249, 258-298)
Lewis-Reinhold I, chap. 5 (pp. 269-307)
Identifications:
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4. The Augustan Settlement and the Julio-Claudian Emperors
Readings:
Cary-Scullard, chaps. 30-33 (pp. 315-376)
Lewis-Reinhold II, chap. 1 (pp. 3-79), chap. 2 (pp. 80-98)
Identifications:
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5. The Five Good Emperors; Commodus and the Severi
Readings:
Cary-Scullard, chaps. 37-38, 40 (pp. 425-450, 489-503)
Lewis-Reinhold II, chap. 2 (pp. 97-155, selectively), chap. 6 (pp. 419-455)
Identifications:
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6. Diocletian and Constantine; Transformation of Empire
Readings:
Cary-Scullard, chaps. 42-44 (pp. 517-558)
Lewis-Reinhold II, chap. 6 (pp. 455-489), chap. 9 (pp. 552-610)
Identifications:
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