• The Flavian Dynasty (69-96)
• Who were they?
• 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?
• How do some of these reflect the times or personalities of 'their' emperors?
• The Five Good Emperors & Commodus (96-192)
• 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? Significance of Caracalla's edict about Roman citizenship? Caracalla's coinage change?
• Who ran things during the Severan revival under Elagabalus and Severus Alexander? What was Elagabalus like?
• The Barracks Emperors (235-284)
• What happens to: the coinage, the frontier, the succession, the emperors, the economy, the cities & countryside, the army?
• Diocletian (285-305)
• The 'title' of the emperor changed from princeps to what? How was the emperor separated from the people?
• How did he change the administration of the empire--tetrarchy, bureaucracy?
• 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? (hint: see Kebric, Ch 9)
  
• Constantine (306-337)
• What was Constantine's position in regard to Christianity?
• Where did he move the capital to?

• Art & Architecture
• see above
• 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 to prepare for:

Defend or prosecute Vibia Perpetua either as a Roman lawyer or as a lawyer today (in your society or in the US society). The Roman charge against her is for being a Christian (Roman); the charge today is that she is incapable of making her own decisions because she has been brainwashed. Make sure you use effectively the evidence presented in Kebric's chapter and the web link for the rest of Perpetua's diary (click here) as well as the relevant material in Shelton and/or Scarre concerning religion.

Compare and contrast life in Pompeii with life at Westminster College (or your home town). In your conclusion discuss what is important about the similarities and the differences. Make sure you use effectively the evidence presented in Kebric's chapter on Pompeii as well as the evidence from the two lectures (and slides) on Pompeii.

Explain why the 3 of the 5 'good' emperors were considered good (i.e. their accomplishments, popularity, etc.) and compare to a current world leader or prominent individual.