Analysis Email a copy to Dr. Roebuck. Prepare a summary to present to the class.

Here are some suggestions for paper topics. Choose one of these or make up your own.

Why was the city-state of Rome able to conquer all of Italy and then go on to rule the Mediterranean world? What specific institutions, methods and strengths did Rome have that the Greeks did not have?

Was Rome a city bent on conquest, or was its expansion largely a result of responses to external pressures?

Compare the class divisions within Rome to those within Athens. Give examples from both that illustrate the divisions.

Why was Christianity a threat to the Roman state?  Or was it?

What went wrong with the Roman Empire in the 3rd century? Why did things go so badly when they had gone so well before?

In what ways did the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine save the Empire? In what ways did their reforms contribute to its eventual collapse?

Explain what original contributions Romans made to the history of art. If you don't think they made any, explain why not.

Analyze the place of women in Greek society.

Analyze the place of women in Roman society.

Contrast the place of women in Egyptian society with that of women in Greek society.

The real reason the Roman Republic collapsed was . . .

The Hellenistic Age began with the conquests of Alexander. But when did it end? Choose an event or some other symbolic point and defend your position.

One of the great contributions of Rome to civilization was a highly-developed legal system. Explain the inner workings of Roman law.

What were the major points of debate between Christians and pagans?

"The Roman Empire fell because of lead pipes used for the water supply."  Critique this statement.

Historians will point out that neither Athens nor Sparta were typical Greek city-states. Try Thebes or Corinth or some other city. Explain in what ways your city was "typically Greek."

Why was the Donatist controversy so important in the development of the Church?

Origins of the Peloponnesian War

Why was Parthia such a formidable foe of Rome? Why couldn't the Romans conquer Parthia?

Despite all its accomplishments, what were the limitations of Hellenistic science and why did these limitations exist?

Was slavery an economic boon or an economic disaster for Rome?

How does Athenian democracy compare to modern American democracy?

Compare Stoicism with either Epicureanism, Cynicism, or Skepticism. What did Stoicism offer that the other did not?

Analyze the long-term effects of the Punic Wars. In what sense can it be said that Hannibal caused the fall of the Republic? In what sense is such a statement misleading?

Compare St. Augustine's view of human nature with that held by Aristotle.

Compare the Roman army of the Republic to the Roman army of the Empire.

Make up your own question and answer it or modify one of the statements above.