CLAS 207

Roman Social History

A study of the main features of Roman social history from the time of Augustus to AD 200. Topics include class structure, law, education, the family, slavery, poverty and public entertainment. Offered in alternate years.

Course content

This course explores, by way of lectures and tutorials, the realities and ideologies of Roman daily life- including family life, livingl conditions, disease and medicne, sex and sexuality, entertainments, slavery, the role and rights of women and children, religion, death and disposal.

In 2025, this course will be delivered primarily on campus, with online accessibility. Most students will attend on campus; however, the course can be completed online if needed. If you intend to take the course mostly on campus, please select the offering CRN 2128.

Course learning objectives

Students who pass this course will be able to:

1 Show that they are aware of the basic structures of Roman society, such as the economic system and family construction, in the first two centuries AD.

2 Show they possess a basic vocabulary of Roman social institutions (for instance, the key terms describing relationships in the Roman household or types of slavery).

3 Have a general understanding of the evidence for Roman society and its limitations.

4 Apply simple concepts derived from modern systems of analysis (e.g. from sociology or demography) such as status or life expectancy to ancient evidence in order to understand these features in their historical context.

5 Recognize the differences between Roman society and modern societies (e.g. 21st century New Zealand).