Students

AHIS342 – Rome's Persian Wars

2015 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Edwell
peter.edwell@mq.edu.au
Convenor
Genevieve Young
genevieve.young@mq.edu.au
W6A 516
To be advised
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp or (6cp in AHIS or AHST units at 200 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is an in-depth study of Rome's attempts to defend itself against a resurgent Iran in the late-third and early-fourth centuries CE. Students have the chance to study both military and diplomatic history of the two great empires, as well as religious change. Archaeological evidence is used extensively to help us to reconstruct our knowledge of Roman defensive systems.

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:

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Tutorial Essay 20% Week 6
Tutorial Essay 20% Week 13
Examination 40% TBA
Tutorial Participation 20% Ongoing

Tutorial Essay

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%

You must choose one of the tutorials in weeks 3-6 and write a 1,500 word essay which answers the questions for that particular week. The essay should include footnotes/endnotes and a bibliography and should conform with the requirements of undergraduate essays in the Department of Ancient History. Footnotes/endnotes and the bibliography are not included in the word count but should not be excessive.

All papers must be submitted in class in the week to which they are relevant. Internal students may not submit this essay through turn-it-in.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Tutorial Essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

You must choose one of the tutorials in weeks 7-13 and write a 1,500 word essay which answers the questions for that particular week. The essay should include footnotes/endnotes and a bibliography and should conform with the requirements of undergraduate essays in the Department of Ancient History. Footnotes/endnotes and the bibliography are not included in the word count but should not be excessive.

All papers must be submitted in class in the week to which they are relevant. Internal students may not submit this essay through turn-it-in.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Examination

Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

This is a 2 hour examination which will be conducted in the university examination period in first semester. More information about the exam will be provided in the second half of the semester.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Tutorial Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Contributions to tutorials will be assessed on the basis of quality and quantity.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Delivery and Resources

Staff Contact details

The convenor and main lecturer for this unit is Dr Genevieve Young (Rm. 516, W6A, e-mail address: Genevieve.young@mq.edu.au). Dr Ross Burns will also provide some of the lectures in this unit.

Tutorial staff, consultation hours and contact details will be advised in the first lecture.

Required Unit Materials

The only compulsory book for this unit is M.H. Dodgeon & S.N.C. Lieu (eds), The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 226-363, 2nd edition, Routledge, London & New York, 1994. It is essential to purchase this book because it contains most of the material which forms the basis of tutorial questions and discussions. Weekly tutorial questions and bibliographies are available on the unit's iLearn web page.

The co-op bookshop at Macquarie has ordered some copies of this book. You may also purchase it via online book stores such as Amazon. It also worth checking http://www.abebooks.com for second hand copies. The book is also available in a kindle edition. Be very careful not to accidentally purchase Volume II which is edited by Greatrex and Lieu and covers the period from 363 - 630.

Important dates

Semester Commences:           Monday, 23 February

Semester Break:                      Friday, 3 April to Friday, 17 April

Semester recommences:         Monday, 20 April – Friday, 5 June

Examinations commence:       Tuesday, 9 June

 

Lecture and Tutorial Times

 

Lecture_1

  

Class_01

Tue

16

W5C320
 

Lecture_2

  

Class_02

Thu

13

E7BT2
 

Tutorial_1

  

Class_03

Tue

17

W5A203
     

Class_03

Thu

15

W5C311
     

Class_03

 Thu

16

W5A103

 Technology Used

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

The lectures for this unit will be recorded and the audio recordings will be available on the Echo 360 system. There is also an iLearn page for the unit which can be accessed at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. Readings will be available on e-Reserve and iLearn; other digital resources will also be placed on the iLearn site.

Unit Schedule

Lecture Schedule

Week 1

Lecture 1                     Tuesday, 24 February             Introduction & welcome

Lecture 2                     Thursday, 26 February            Geography of the Eastern Frontier

No tutorials

Week 2

Lecture 3                     Tuesday, 3 March                   Historical Background 1 (Rome)

Lecture 4                     Thursday, 5 March                  Historical Background 2 (Iran)

Tutorial 1                     Introduction

Week 3

Lecture 5                     Tuesday, 10 March                 The Sasanian “revolution”

Lecture 6                     Thursday, 12 March                Rome’s early wars with the

Sasanians – Severus Alexander & Gordian III

Tutorial 2                     The Early Sasanians

Week 4                                   

Lecture 7                     Tuesday, 17 March                 The invasions of Shapur I

Lecture 8                     Thursday, 19 March                The siege and capture of Dura

Europos

Tutorial 3                     Different traditions - Roman/Byzantine sources and the SKZ

Week 5           

Lecture 9                     Tuesday, 24 March                 Palmyra – 1st & 2nd centuries AD

Lecture 10                   Thursday, 26 March                Palmyra – 3rd century and after.

Tutorial 4                     The portrayal of Zenobia in ancient sources

Week 6

Lecture 11                   Tuesday, 31 March                 The Persian Wars of Diocletian and

                                                                                    Galerius

Lecture 12                   Thursday, 2 April                    The Strata Diocletiana

Tutorial 5                     Sources on the wars of Diocletian and Galerius

Semester Break         Friday, 3 April – Friday, 17 April

Week 7

Lecture 13                   Tuesday, 21 April                   Christianity & the Eastern Frontier

Lecture 14                   Thursday, 23 April                  Manichaeism & the Eastern Frontier

Tutorial 6                     Christianity and Manichaeism on the Eastern Frontier                              

Week 8

Lecture 15                   Tuesday, 28 April                   Frontier theory and the Eastern

                                                                                    Frontier

Lecture 16                   Thursday, 30 April                  Constantine & Persia

Tutorial 7                     Constantine and the Christians of Persia       

Week 9

No lectures or tutorials

Week 10

Lecture 17                   Tuesday, 12 May                    The Role of Armenia between Rome and Persia

Lecture 18                   Thursday, 14 May                   The Role of the Arabs

Tutorial 8                     Armenian Historiography

Week 11         

Lecture 19                   Tuesday, 19 May                    The Persian wars of Constantius II -1

Lecture 20                   Thursday, 21 May                   The Persian Wars of Constantius II-2

Tutorial 9                     The eastern frontier under Constantius II

Week 12

Lecture 21                   Tuesday, 26 May                    The Persian campaign of Julian - 1

Lecture 22                   Thursday, 28 May                   The Persian campaign of Julian - 2

Tutorial 10                   Sources on the Persian invasion of Julian

Week 13                     

Lecture 23                   Tuesday, 2 June                      Rome and Persia in Art & Coins

Lecture 24                   Thursday, 4 June                     Unit summary

Tutorial 11                   Sasanian Rock Reliefs

Learning and Teaching Activities

Tutorial

1 x 1 hour lecture per week

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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 ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

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

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

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

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Essay
  • Tutorial Essay
  • Tutorial Participation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.

Assessment task

  • Tutorial Participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Essay
  • Tutorial Essay
  • Examination
  • Tutorial Participation

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x 1 hour lecture per week

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Essay
  • Tutorial Essay
  • Examination

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x 1 hour lecture per week

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Assessment task

  • Examination

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in oral and written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the history of the Roman eastern frontier.
  • Demonstrate both specific and overall knowledge of the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier under exam conditions.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Essay
  • Tutorial Essay
  • Examination
  • Tutorial Participation

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x 1 hour lecture per week

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in both oral and written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.

Assessment task

  • Tutorial Participation

Learning and teaching activity

  • 1 x 1 hour lecture per week

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • Tutorial Participation