Questions 1-7

1. Read “Dio Cassius on the Formation of the Principate” available on d2l and consider the following:

· How would you characterize the competing proposals of Agrippa and Maecenas?

· What considerations should we make if we intend to use these speeches as evidence?

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2. Tacitus’ Livia: Read Tacitus Annals, Book 1.3, 5-6, 8, 10, 13-14, 33; Book 2.14, 34, 42-43, 77, 82; Book 3.3, 15, 17-18, 34, 64, 71; Book 4.8, 12, 16, 21- 22, 40, 57, 71; Book 5.1-3, 5, 26; Book 12.69; Book 15.23 available at  http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/home.html  and consider the following:

· How does Tacitus portray Livia (aka Julia Augusta, the wife of Augustus) in his Annals?

· How believable is his portrayal?

3. Read Tacitus Annals, Book 11.8-10; Book 12.10-14, 44-51; Book 13.6-9, 34-41; Book 14.23-6; Book 15.1-17, 24-31 available at  http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/home.html  and consider the following:

· How serious a threat was Parthia to the security of the Roman Empire?

· How effectively did the Romans manage their eastern border?

4. Imperial Opposition: Read the following

· Tacitus Annals, Book 13.49, Book 14.12, 48-9: Book 15.20-2, 48-74; Book 16.21-35 available at  http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/home.html

· Tacitus Histories, Book 2.91; Book 4.4-10, 43 available at  http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/home.html

· Dio Cassius, On Opposition to the Emperors available on d2l

· Suetonius, Nero 36 available here  http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Nero*.html

 

and consider the following:

· How would you characterize the opposition emperors faced?

· What were the ultimate goals of the emperors’ opponents?

5. Read “Selections from Pliny’s Panegyricus” available on d2l and consider the following:

· How does Pliny contrast life under Trajan with that under his predecessors?

· What motivated Pliny to present and publish this speech?

6. Read “Selections from Pliny’s Bithynian Letters” available on d2l and consider the following:

· What concerns are foremost in Pliny’s mind as governor of Bithynia?

· Can any broad conclusions about the nature of Rome’s relationship with provincial citizens be made?