MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Instructions

1. The examination will be administered on Tuesday, 20 February, during the usual lecture hour. It consists of two parts. Part I is an ID. It will be given at the beginning of the exam and, when all responses have been collected, we will move on to Part II. Except for the ID, you may write out the essays in advance (I want them to be sent to the nic.coursework@gmail.com account I use for student work). Please send them to me electronically as attachments. The maximum length per essay is 650 words. Otherwise, it is an 'open book' examination. Though I encourage you to study together, I will not give any credit to identical or nearly identical essays. Your grade depends upon your ability to formulate meaningful hypotheses about events and to substantiate those hypotheses with relevant evidence (n.b.: the textbook may help you to formulate hypotheses, but the words of the modern authors and editors cannot be construed as evidence).
1. 'To formulate' a hypothesis means to generate effective and convincing 'thesis-sentences'.
2. Substantiation means 'word for word' citation of relevant clauses in the ancient evidence.
2. On the day of the examination the gods will decide which of the three questions is to be submitted for a grade.
3. Sequence of events:

• 12noon: ID available online. Students have 20 minutes to explain [on conventional paper] what the item is and why its is historically significant.
• 12:15: Drawing of essay question...oremus [Let us pray...]
• 12:20 IDs are collected by Nicols in Eugene, and by Diane Pritchard in Bend.
• 14:00: All essays must be emailed to nic.coursework@gmail.com.

Part I: ID (at beginning of the hour). Identify and give the historical significance of this item.

Part II: Essay on one of the following...

1. Admittedly, the Romans confiscated [some] territory of their defeated enemies and were often unscrupulous in their interpretations of treaties. Nevertheless they succeded in winning the allegiance of their former enemies in Italy. How do you account for this paradox?
2. Define the issues of the struggle of the orders. What did the plebeians want? What were their weapons in the struggle? Why did the struggle end when it did?
3. Some modern historians suggest that the Romans were reluctant imperialists. What is the basis for such a claim? what considerations encouraged the Romans to practice hegemonial instead of annexational imperialism?