Students

AHIS2225 – Rome and the Caesars

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Edwell
peter.edwell@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
AHIX 2225 - Rome and the Caesars
Unit description Unit description
Who were the Caesars and what made Rome an empire that reshaped the ancient world? Rome and the Caesars introduces students to the dramatic rise and rule of Roman emperors, from the fall of the Republic to the heights of imperial power. Through vivid primary sources, archaeological evidence, and cutting-edge scholarship, this unit explores how emperors ruled, how power was displayed and contested, and how ordinary people, from slaves to senators experienced Roman rule. Students will investigate themes like propaganda, violence, succession, spectacle, and religion, and consider how Rome’s imperial legacy continues to influence modern ideas about leadership and authority. Whether you're fascinated by gladiators, imperial palaces, or the politics of power, this course offers an exciting entry into one of the most influential periods in world history.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and discipline specific methodologies for the study of Roman imperial history
  • ULO2: devise arguments and solve problems relating to Roman imperial history.
  • ULO3: present a clear and coherent, evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas about Rome and the Caesars
  • ULO4: Reflect critically on the legacy of Roman imperial rule in modern political and cultural narratives.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Source Analysis 20% No 22 March 2026 Individual No Open
Portfolio: Commentary, Catalogue of Sources, Bibliography 40% No 10 May 2026 Individual No Open
Blog 40% No 7 June 2026 Individual No Open

Source Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 22 March 2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The source analysis assessment refers to a close, focused and personal discussion of ONE example of ancient primary evidence which you have encountered during Weeks 2-3 of this unit which illustrates a facet of a key area of learning about Roman republican or proto-imperial history before 27 BCE. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and discipline specific methodologies for the study of Roman imperial history
  • present a clear and coherent, evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas about Rome and the Caesars

Portfolio: Commentary, Catalogue of Sources, Bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 10 May 2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The portfolio assessment refers to a CATALOGUE OF SOURCES which illustrate facets of a key area of learning about 1st-early 2nd century CE Roman imperial history, along with an HISTORICAL COMMENTARY or reflection about these sources and a BIBLIOGRAPHY of peer-reviewed academic references (available in the LEGANTO reading list) which you use to support the information and ideas included in your HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and discipline specific methodologies for the study of Roman imperial history
  • devise arguments and solve problems relating to Roman imperial history.
  • present a clear and coherent, evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas about Rome and the Caesars

Blog

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 7 June 2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The blog assessment refers to a public-facing, non-academic, online reflection which addresses a particular topic about Roman imperial history. You may select a topic from any period of Roman imperial history covered in Weeks 8-13 of the unit; in other words, the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE from the principate of Hadrian to the advent of the Tetrarchy (118 CE-the final years of the 3rd century CE/first decade of the 4th century CE). Whatever topic you select, your blog will show how imperial leadership affected the lives of the people living under Roman rule during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and discipline specific methodologies for the study of Roman imperial history
  • present a clear and coherent, evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas about Rome and the Caesars
  • Reflect critically on the legacy of Roman imperial rule in modern political and cultural narratives.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Detailed information on delivery and resources appears in the Ilearn page for this unit.

Unit Schedule

Please see the unit Ilearn page for a detailed schedule of lectures and tutorials/discussions.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.05 of the Handbook