The Rise of Rome offers you the chance to find out what made this state so powerful-and offers insight into why the republic cast such a long shadow over Western civilization. Over 24 captivating lectures, Professor Gregory S. Aldrete of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay tells the story of Rome's astonishing rise, from its modest beginnings to its stunning triumph over the Mediterranean to the republic's dramatic collapse.
The Rise of Rome
From great leaders to everyday citizens, delve into the early days and the dramatic collapse of the Roman Republic.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Hppiefrk from
Love this Professor
Great overview of the Republic, with nuance and explanations of culture norms back then mixed in. But best is the presentation - prepared, enthusiastic, and of course the awesome camera pivots.
Date published: 2024-10-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
OllieS from
Excellent overview.
This is one of the best courses here. An excellent lecturer who has perfectly judged the amount of detail for this length of course. Looking forward to the next.
Date published: 2024-08-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Hiker1973 from
Great Presenter!
I always enjoy an instructor in the Great Courses who won't just read the lecture. Dr. Aldrete did a great job of presenting this history of Rome. I learned a lot and loved the stories and facts surrounding the rise and fall of Rome.
Date published: 2024-06-25
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Ramir from
Superb
I really enjoyed these lectures. Prof. Aldrete takes you on a tour of Rome from its beginning as a city controlled by the Etruscans to an empire controlling the Mediterranean from the Atlantic Ocean to the Middle East. Besides names, dates, and battles, he gives you a sense of how the Romans lived, how they worshipped, what they ate. Each lecture held my attention. I never got bored. Highly recommended.
Date published: 2024-04-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Skattay from
Turn It
I love his 'hard turns" when they switch cameras. Very pronounced.
Date published: 2024-02-19
Rated 4 out of
5
by
DrShoe from
Solid, thorough and accessible
This is the second course I've watched from Professor Aldrete. Both -- this one and te lectures on Rome after the Republic -- are extremely well done. I have a much fuller understanding now of Roman history, the forces, events, the people who shaped one of the foundations of Western and, more than most people are aware, American history, politics, and culture.
Date published: 2024-01-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Feddar from
Excellent presentation
I found this lecture series very enjoyable and educational. Many aspects of life in the Roman Republic are addressed that I had never considered or seen presented elsewhere. He brought together many ideas and events that helped to clarify how the republic formed, succeeded, decayed, and then changed into the empire. This series truly changed my view of Rome moving forward.
I am looking forward to his next series on Imperial Rome.
Date published: 2024-01-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Prospero1962 from
Great history
For most people, their knowledge of Rome starts around the time of Julius Caesar and his assassination. This course follows the centuries leading up to that event. We see many lesser known, but still very important, people (Cincinnatus, Scipio Africanus, and others) who led Rome throughout the Republic. The lecturer has an easy and engaging style which really helped with my enjoyment. I'll be finding more lecture courses by him to watch.
Date published: 2023-12-21
Overview
About
Gregory S. Aldrete is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. He earned his PhD in Ancient History from the University of Michigan. He has been honored with numerous awards for his research and teaching and has received five fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He is also a prolific scholar whose books include Gestures and Acclamations in Ancient Rome, Daily Life in the Roman City, and The Long Shadow of Antiquity: What Have the Greeks and Romans Done for Us?
Trailer
01: The City on the Tiber
Begin with a simple question: “How did Rome become so powerful?” This core theme will run through much of this course. Here, Professor Aldrete considers the role of the city’s geography and the republic’s unique political structure, both of which allowed Rome to flourish.
32 min
02: The Monarchy and the Etruscans
The rise of Rome begins with a monarchy, though much of the city’s early years are shrouded in mystery. Unpack some of the key myths, including the epic of Aeneas and the story of Romulus and Remus, to gain insight into the city’s founding. Then reflect on neighboring civilizations such as the Etruscans.
31 min
03: Roman Values and Heroes
Tales and literature from early Rome give us only partial insight into factual history, but they give us great insight into Roman values—what the Romans themselves identified as qualities of ideal citizens. Examine how a few Roman heroes, like Mucius, Horatius, Lucretia, and others embody values of courage, resourcefulness, determination, and more.
30 min
04: The Early Republic and Rural Life
Witness the transition from the monarchy to the republic—a new era of government that would carry the city through half a millennium. Wade through the mythology and propaganda, as well as Roman historical sources such as the author Livy, to reconstruct how the transition happened, and what the new republic looked like.
29 min
05: The Constitution of the Roman Republic
One of the most lasting facets of the Roman Republic is its constitution, which inspired America’s founding fathers, among others. Continue your exploration of the early republic with a look at its system of government and its different classes of people—citizens and noncitizens, patricians and plebeians, senators, soldiers, and more.
31 min
06: The Unification of the Italian Peninsula
What distinguished Rome from neighboring city-states was the republic’s dogged persistence in matters of war. Watch as the Romans conquered neighboring territories to gain control of the entire Italian peninsula—and witness defeats against the Gauls to the north and the Greeks to the east. See how the Romans treated those it conquered.
30 min
07: Roman Religion: Sacrifice, Augury, and Magic
Most of us are familiar with some of the gods in the Roman pantheon, which included the likes of Jupiter and Mars, but one of the most fascinating aspects of Roman religion was the way it integrated elements from other cultures. Survey Roman religion as well as its institutions and personages such as the Pontifex Maximus and the vestal virgins.
30 min
08: The First Punic War: A War at Sea
The First Punic War is the longest continuous war in Greek and Roman history. Here, delve into the third century B.C.E., when Carthage commanded sea travel throughout the Mediterranean and the Roman Republic was looking to advance beyond the Italian Peninsula. Trace the first war against Carthage.
31 min
09: The Second Punic War: Rome versus Hannibal
Although the First Punic War was a major victory, the Second Punic War was, in Professor Aldrete’s words, “the crucible in which the Roman Empire was forged.” Encounter the brilliance of Hannibal, learn the strategy and impact of the infamous Battle of Cannae, and see how Roman leaders combatted and eventually defeated him.
30 min
10: Rome Conquers Greece
Although the Romans had seen great military and political victory, they were still provincial in many ways until they conquered the Greeks. At that point, Greek civilization entered and began to influence the Romans in unexpected ways. But, as you’ll learn in this lecture, the Roman expansion beyond Italy may have been something of an accident.
32 min
11: The Consequences of Roman Imperialism
Roman imperialism gave the republic great and far-flung territory, but it left many of its people wanting. Soldiers entered the military expecting riches and glory, only to come home penniless. Meanwhile, conquered people were far from happy. Review how the Romans administered their growing territory—and its effect on those in the home city.
32 min
12: Roman Slavery: Cruelty and Opportunity
Rome is one of only a few civilizations throughout history to be a true slave state. Here, learn where Roman slaves came from and find out about the nature of their servitude—including what daily life was like for many slaves. Then look at ways slaves could buy or earn freedom, and what life was like for freed slaves.
31 min
13: Roman Women and Marriage
Because Rome was such a patriarchal society, we have few historical records from women’s points of view. Nevertheless, historians have been able to deduce much about what life was like for Roman women. Life varied greatly between rich and poor, but women throughout the society were expected to marry and live sheltered lives.
30 min
14: Roman Children, Education, and Timekeeping
Continue your study of ordinary Romans—this time with a look at the life of children, which could be quite brutal by today’s standards. Learn about their toys and games, and then turn to the system of education. Finally, take a look at the Roman system of timekeeping, which organized the days, months, and years.
29 min
15: Food, Housing, and Employment in Rome
Food, shelter, and a livelihood are three of the most basic needs for people everywhere. In this lecture, Professor Aldrete surveys what Romans ate, where they lived, what their homes were like, and what they did for a living. While the upper classes did not work, farming and skilled trades were important jobs throughout the republic.
31 min
16: The Gracchi Attempt Reform
By 133 B.C.E., Roman society was beginning to unravel. Veterans who had lost their fortunes in war, farmers who had lost their land, and neighboring citizens who had been conquered were all disgruntled. Meanwhile, factionalism was starting to emerge within the Roman government. See how these tensions began to wear away at the republic and how an attempted reform came not from the disenfranchised, but from one of the most privileged Roman families.
31 min
17: Gaius Marius the Novus Homo
The late Roman republic was characterized by feuding aristocrats vying for power within the government. Meet Gaius Marius, an Italian warlord who went against the conventional mores and was elected 7 times as a consul. Follow his military exploits in Northern Africa and his rise to power within the republic.
31 min
18: Sulla the Dictator and the Social War
Cracks continued to appear in Roman civilization, as the Social War broke out over citizenship and leaders continued to vie for power. Among these leaders was Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who used his military laurels to march into Rome and set himself up as a temporary dictator.
29 min
19: The Era of Pompey the Great
Continue your survey of late republic military leaders. In this lecture, you’ll find out about the life of Pompey the Great, who achieved fame and glory as a young man with ambitions as large as Alexander the Great’s. Trace the events of the first century B.C.E., including the slave revolt of Spartacus.
30 min
20: The Rise of Julius Caesar
The beginning of the end of the Roman Republic starts with the rise of Julius Caesar. After setting the stage with Caesar’s early career, Professor Aldrete explores the dramatic events that led to Caesar’s election to the senate as well as his legislative and military victories. Tensions within Roman leadership were high.
30 min
21: Civil War and the Assassination of Caesar
The late republic tensions reached a conflagration the moment Caesar crossed the Rubicon River and led his army toward Rome. Follow the end of his astonishing career, from his exploits in Spain to his war with Egypt to his eventual assassination. Meet Mark Antony and the other conspirators.
30 min
22: Cicero and the Art of Roman Oratory
Before witnessing the denouement of the Roman Republic, pause for a moment to reflect on Roman oratory—an art best practiced by the senator and writer Cicero. Cicero’s insights into rhetorical strategy and human nature continue to influence us today—and in his day allowed him to play the role of peacekeeper after Caesar’s murder.
30 min
23: Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra
Following Caesar’s assassination, there was a power vacuum in Rome. Caesar’s heir Octavian eventually took power, while Caesar’s general Mark Antony fled to his lover, Cleopatra. Trace the events from Octavian’s rise to Rome’s war with Egypt and the suicides of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
31 min
24: Why the Roman Republic Collapsed
The course opened with a simple question: “How did Rome become so powerful?” It closes with an equally simple—if equally unanswerable—question: “Why did the Roman Republic collapse?” In this final lecture, Professor Aldrete offers several leading theories, including the possibility that the republic was a victim of its own success.
32 min
