The different phases of history in pre-Christian Rome and the major features of each phase
The geographic territories that made up the Roman Empire
The general characteristics of Roman civilization
The role played by religion in Roman life and culture
How women's role in Roman life differed from that of women in Greece
The Etruscans, their fate and their influence on Roman civilization
The influence of the Greeks on Roman civilization
The enduring features of Roman political life
The significance of the Punic Wars for Roman society and civilization
Rome's enlightened treatment of conquered peoples and the impact this had on Roman civilization
Rome as the heir of Hellenistic Greece
The cultural significance of Julius Caesar
The meaning of the Pax Romana
How Augustus saved the Roman state
Rome's three literary periods, including dates, characteristics, leading figures, literary genres, titles and descriptions of works
The characteristics of Roman Comedy
The principles of Roman Stoicism and Epicureanism, their leading advocates, and how they differed from both one another and the Greek originals
The beliefs of Neo-Platonism and its leading exponent
How Roman philosophy reflected Roman values and circumstances
The ideals of Roman law, the most original contribution of Rome
The innovations made by Roman architects
The identifying characteristics of the Roman temple, as seen in the Maison Carrée, Nîmes
The interrelationship between the arts and architecture and Rome's rulers
To recognize achievements in Roman architecture and the arts
The phases of Roman sculpture along with characteristic examples
The contributions of Roman music
Historic "firsts" of Roman civilization that became part of the Western tradition: the Latin language and its offspring, the Romance languages; Roman law; the educational ideal of the arts and sciences; the architectural innovations based on the rounded arch, including barrel vaults, groined vaults, and domes; providing "bread and circuses" for citizens; and the Idea of Rome
The role of Roman civilization in transmitting the heritage of earlier civilizations: adding to Greek architecture to make the Greco-Roman style; redefining the Greek educational curriculum into the trivium and quadrivium; perpetuating Greek ideals and models in the arts, literature, and music; adopting the Hellenistic Age's political legacy of ruler-gods; preserving and expanding Hellenistic Greek science; continuing to make libraries primary institutions in major cities as had been done in Hellenistic Greece; and making the Hellenistic goal of a just and well-regulated society of multiethnic, multiracial citizens the guiding ideal of imperial Rome
