No civilization is so intertwined with the history of Christianity, and the greater Western world, as Rome. Now, you are invited to explore ancient Rome’s legacy with award-winning professor and prolific author Christopher M. Bellitto.

You will begin by placing ancient Rome in world history by looking at its origins and contexts in terms of geography and chronology. You will then explore the overlooked monarchy that ran for over two centuries until it was replaced by a republic that slowly took over the Mediterranean for 500 years. You will follow Rome as it defeated Carthage in three Punic Wars, facing challengers like Hannibal.

As you travel from the Republic to the Empire to Rome’s eventual “fall,” you will encounter such infamous figures as Julius Caesar, Octavian, Marc Antony, Cleopatra, Caligula, and Nero. You will see how paganism, Judaism, and Christianity interacted, often violently, and how Christianity transformed a stumbling empire. Finally, you will ask whether Rome truly fell at all.

Course Outline

    1. Study Guide

    2. 01 Where in World History Is Ancient Rome?

    3. 02 A Monarchy, a Republic, an Enemy of Carthage

    4. 03 Greco-Roman Religion and Mythology

    5. 04 Women and Slaves, Virtue and Vice

    6. 05 The Republic Becomes Undone

    7. 06 Civil Wars and Julius Caesar’s Solution

    8. 07 Augustus Turns a Republic into an Empire

    9. 08 Bad Emperors and Good Emperors

    10. 09 How to Run an Empire

    11. 10 Roman Pagans, Tolerated Jews, Persecuted Christians

    12. 11 Christianity’s Triumph Transforms a Stumbling Empire

    13. 12 Did Rome Fall?

About this course

  • Free
  • 13 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content