AMS 290 The Fall of the Roman Empire

This course will explore the transformationsof the Mediterranean world from the late third century to the seventh century C.E. Majorthemes tobe discussed include the fall of the western Roman empire, the barbarian invasions, theChristianization of the Roman empire, the emergence of monasticism and the cult of thesaints,and the rise of Islam. Major characters will include, for example, Constantine, Augustine ofHippo,Attila the Hun, Stilicho, Benedict of Nursia or Muhammad. We will place these charactersagainst aconcrete social, geographical and archaeological context.