Directions: Write three 600-1000 word essays. Choose from the topics given below.

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.

2. From an evaluation of the evidence we have examined in class and in our readings, form a reasoned conclusion about whether the Romans, from a Roman point of view, were justified in persecuting the Christians? Make sure you consider the nature of the evidence at some point in your argumentation and that you consider evidence both pro and con.

3. 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.

4. 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?

5.  What trends do the Imperial art reveal about the Roman Empire, starting with the Flavian dynasty and ending with Constantine?.