• The Flavian Dynasty (69-96)
• Who were they?
• What are some of the things each accomplished or were known for?
• What are the important art and architecture for each?
• How do some of these reflect the times or personalities of 'their' emperors?
• The Five Good Emperors & Commodus (96-182)
• Who were they? Where are some from?
• What are some of the things each accomplished or were known for (political, military, social, economic, if applicable)?
• What are the important art and architecture for each (if applicable)?
• How do some of these reflect the times or personalities of 'their' emperors?
• How were things beginning to deteriorate during the reign of Marcus Aurelius?
• The Severan Dynasty (193-235)
• How do his religious beliefs reflect the age he lived in? Including what attracted him to Julia Domna?
• What changes did he make to the army? to the political system? Whom or where did he fight?
• What happened to his sons?
• What are the key art and architecture of Septimius and Caracalla at Rome and their hallmarks (if any)?
• Who ran things during the Severan revival under Elagabalus and Severus Alexander? What was Elagabalus like?
• The Barracks Emperors (235-284)
• What is the hallmark of this age?
• What happens to: the coinage, the frontier, the succession, the emperors, the economy, the army?
• Diocletian (285-305)
• The 'title' of the emperor changed from princeps to what?
• How did he change the administration of the empire? Did it work?
• How did he treat the Christians?
• What did Diocletian do in regard to prices, wages, freedom of profession, and freedom of movement?
• The role of the citizen was to provide what two things?
• Constantine (306-337)
• What was Constantine's position in regard to Christianity?
• Where did he move the capital to?
• How was the art and architecture of Constantine reflective of his age?

• Art & Architecture
• see above
• know the major architectural works for each emperor
• Growing Old
• How many lived to age 50?
• What are some of the things the elderly could do?
• What freedoms did they have?
• What does their service in the military and politics tell us?
• How were they treated by others?
• What are some of the advantages and disadvantages?
• Pompeii & Herculaneum
• Who later wrote an eye witness account of the eruption? How did Titus respond?
• Why are these cities important for our understanding of Roman culture and life?
• What were the roads like? The water supply?
• Name four public buildings and four private businesses at Pompeii that are typical of Roman towns.
• What were the two key exports of Pompeii?
• Know these places: taberna, popina, caupona, hospitia--what were they, how did they differ, what could one get at them?
• Know the function of the: atrium, triclinium, lararium, peristyle.
• What were some of the general themes depicted on the art in the houses at Pompeii and Herculaneum?
• Religion:
• Mystery Religions/Cults
• What are some of the elements most mystery religions had in common? Why are they called 'mystery' religions?
• Who are the more important gods and their particular emphases?
• What did these new foreign gods and their worship have in common with Christianity?
• Christianity
• Why were the Christians mistrusted? Considered atheists, etc.?
• What is the Roman view of Christians and Christianity as revealed by the selections from Tacitus (Nero & the great fire), Pliny, Trajan, Fronto, and by the story of Vibia Perpetua
• What was the Christian response to the Roman charges (Tertullian), esp. those of Trajan and Fronto?
• What was Septimius Severus' view of Christians?

Possible Essay Questions:

1. Compare what you have learned about the Severan Woman and Vibia Perpetua with your conclusions about Roman women and the control they had over their lives. Does this new evidence require that you modify your views or does it confirm them? Make sure you consider the nature of the evidence at some point in your argumentation and that you consider evidence both pro and con. OR  The graffiti and the art found at Pompeii and Herculaneum are quite important for our understanding of Roman society and culture. In what ways do the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum seem "modern" and in what ways do they seem "ancient?" Is there anything we can conclude from this? (For the graffiti, see Kebric, Ch. 6 and Shelton, # 28, 84-85, 89, 94, 123, and especially 131-133). Make sure you consider the nature of the evidence at some point in your argumentation and that you consider evidence both pro and con.

2.  What trends do the Imperial art reveal about the Roman Empire, starting with the Flavian dynasty and ending with Constantine?. OR  From an evaluation of the evidence we have examined in class and in our readings, determine what are the key ways in which the Imperial political system has changed from  AD 69 to AD 337? Also consider if there is a fundamental trend observable and what would it's logically conclusion be?