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History of Ancient Rome
Garrett G. Fagan, Ph.D. Professor, The Pennsylvania State UniversityCourse No. 340
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Garrett G. Fagan, Ph.D.
To learn about the people of antiquity is to examine the foundations of how we live today. They are at once alien and familiar, an image of ourselves glimpsed in a distant mirror.
InstitutionThe Pennsylvania State University
Alma materMcMaster University
Learn More About This ProfessorCourse Overview
48 Lectures
Average 30 minutes each
What's Included?
Instant Video
$439.95$64.95
- Download 48 video lectures to your computer or mobile app
- Downloadable PDF of the course guidebook
- FREE video streaming of the course from our website and mobile apps
DVD
$599.95$89.95
- 48 lectures on 8 DVDs
- 222-page printed course guidebook
- Downloadable PDF of the course guidebook
- FREE video streaming of the course from our website and mobile apps
Reviews
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Review by MisterDarcy. Written 10 years ago. 5 out of 5 stars. Salted with Wit! Peppered with Great Storytelling!
Most Helpful Critical Review
Review by wonnie. Written 13 years ago. 1 out of 5 stars. Do not buy this course
Yes, it is THAT bad and so sad for such an interesting topic as the history of ancient Rome should b… Show Full Review This action will open a modal dialog.
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My Favourite Course
I've been watching Wondrium and the Great Courses now and this is my favourite discovery by far.
I was hoping to message the lecturer but I have unfortunately read that he has passed away.
The course is comprehensive but succint, the presenter is hilarious at times, and he highlights clearly the sources, places where the sources are scant, and areas of debate in the field.
Rather than being spoonfeeding you current opinion, he will present various theories, including those with which he does not agree, and then weighs them up.
Thoroughly recommend.
- Format
- Video
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Intermediate
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Professor Fagan's presentations not out to par....
I have watched/listened this course twice now; most recently within the last month. I enjoyed the series of lectures but found Professor Fagan's stumbling, stammering speech patterns quite off-putting. He seemed less than confident at times and that was a distraction. During one of the lectures, he was talking about how the prayers to the Roman gods had to perfect and if the person saying the prayer "stuttered or stammered" the whole process had to be started over from the beginning. I thought it ironic since Professor Fagan does a lot of "stuttering and stammering" during these lectures. I also got the sense the subject may have been too big for him. He was biting off a huge amount of history - even though the course was 48 lectures. I found relatively little use of visual presentations to support the lectures and that was also disappointing. Despite these shortcomings, I would still recommend the course because as far as i can, it's the only Great Course on ancient Rome (and covers much more than "Rome and the Barbarians").
- Format
- Video
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Intermediate
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Exemplary
A classic series, probably the best compendium of Roman history ever delivered.
- Format
- Audio
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Advanced
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Brilliant and Entertaining
I have enjoyed over thirty Great Courses over the past fifteen years. This was the first one I bought and it is still my favorite. Professor Fagan's appealing Irish accent, his wit and talent for telling a story are equalled by his insight and clarity. I have since read much from and about ancient Rome which has served only to verify the opinions and insights of Professor Fagan. I could not give a higher recommendation.
- Format
- Audio
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Intermediate
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Absolutely fabulous!
This course is packed with information and well delivered, at times with some subtle humor. Dr. Fagan is clearly very knowledgeable and his enthusiasm shines through the presentation. Some have commented on his presentation and speech. Frankly his accent is endearing and any hesitancy in his speech is well compensated. I was concentrating on content and not his speaking style. I highly recommend this course if you want a great overview of early Rome.
- Format
- Video
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Intermediate
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excellent course
I have many Roman history courses from The Great Courses. This has become one of my favorites for its breadth of topics and Fagan's enjoyable style of presentation.
- Format
- Video
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Advanced
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Right on target
Fagan is a great lecturer. He presents the material at the right level for history buffs. He hits all the key ideas without excessive detail. He is engaging, articulate and funny. Highly recommended,
- Format
- Audio
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Intermediate
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Answers a lot of questions
Growing up, I had heard a lot about the Roman Empire but knew nothing but small bit and pieces of it. I chose this course because the description sounded like it would provide an overview to answer some of my questions about Rome. It delivered marvelously providing a good overview of the politics, lifestyle and features that built and remained a part of the empire/republic.
I highly suggest purchasing the transcript to follow the lecturer's comments and help correlate information from the previous lectures with the present lecture.
The professor's speech style has been commented on, but it is not an impediment to learning.- Format
- Video
- Prior Subject Knowledge
- Novice
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Questions & Answers
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Should you do the recommended readings before or after each lecture episode?
1 answer-
Either works. Try before for one lecture and after for another and see which you like better!
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Does the DVD have English subtitles. I have impaired hearing.
1 answer-
No, it does not.
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Does this course have a digital transcript book?
1 answer-
No, this course does not have a digital transcript book.
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What's the study of ancient rome called?
If you study Egypt, yr an Egyptologist. What are you called if u study ancient Rome? IIt's not romanologist (I checked -that's about romania)
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Classicist?
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The most common name for someone who studies Ancient Rome (or Greece) is a Classicist, as this period of ancient Western history is known as the Classical Period.
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When was this course first published?
1 answer-
This course was first released in June of 1999. It is currently available in both audio and video formats in DVD, CD, and downloadable versions.
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Does the video include visual resources other than the professor giving the lecture? Is there an advantage to video over audio for this one?
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Very little. Even if it did, the course would still be very boring if you have any knowledge on this subject.
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No, however I am more attentive when I see the lecturer in action
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I lost my course books but I would like to know the bibliografy used in this course
especially of the authors that cover more or less the same information in this course.
1 answer-
If you give The Great Courses a call at 1-800-832-2412, we can arrange to replace your lost Course Guidebook.
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