An examination of the era that led to the misleading phrase “the fall of Rome,” this course explores Rome’s interaction with so-called barbarians such as the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Burgundians, Langobards, Franks, and Huns and assesses Rome’s evolving strategy in dealing with them, from initial attempts to conquer to forming client relationships with them. The course also considers the replacement of the western Roman empire by various successor states, the barbarian kingdoms, which eventually coalesced into early medieval Europe.
- Teacher: Sean Lawing