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AB/A107 From Late Antiquity to Byzantium


Essays

Essay 1

Here are some titles from which to choose an essay, to be handed in by Monday 14 February 2010 .

Please express your own ideas, supported by references; the essay should be of not more than 1,500 words. Please remember that you are expected to argue a case, with reference to evidence (don’t be vague!); structure is very important.  The quality of your English grammar and syntax is very important - and mis-spelling will be penalised! Don't bully words, like Humpty-Dumpty; use a dictionary.

Please submit 2 copies of your essay: for information on assessed coursework, and coversheets, see website

We shall be asking for a further essay, to be prepared in advance, and written under examination conditions, in 50 minutes on Friday 25 March 2010.

Essay Topics

1. Why is the period of Roman History from 3rd-6th centuries A.D. described as Late Antiquity? Is this a helpful term?

2. In what ways did the lives of Roman citizens change between the mid third and the mid-fourth centuries?

3. What are the problems in writing about a period of religious change? Discuss with reference to particular books/authors.

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Essay 2

Here are some titles from which to choose an essay; you may prepare your material, but the essay is to be written under examination conditions, in 50 minutes on Friday 26 March 2010.

Please express your own ideas, supported by references.

Essay Topics


1. What is the most interesting primary source you have read so far for this course? Why is it interesting and what have you learned from it?


2. Discuss and contrast at least two, but not more than four, secondary sources that you have read for this course.

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Revised  December 16, 2010