Essays and Research Papers on The Greeks & Romans

This 7 page paper considers what non-literary evidence (such as coins, temples, contests and gladiatorial combats for example) can tell us about the culture in which they took place. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses Steven Pressfield’s historical novel “Gates of Fire,” a fictional account of the battle of Thermopylae. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 14 page paper considers what we can learn about ancient cultures from non-literary evidence such as coins and inscriptions. It also discusses the controversy that arises over the authenticity of such items. Bibliography lists 13 sources.

In 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Or did he? This 11 page paper evaluates several sources to see what they say about his alleged conversion, and argues that there is simply no way to tell whether or not the conversion was a genuine religious experience, or politically expedient. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 7 page discussion of the differences in the ways these ancient historians produced their historical accounts. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 5 page paper considers some of the factors that led to the fall of the Roman Empire, and argues that while none might have brought down the Empire by itself, combined, and coming quickly as they did, made the collapse inevitable. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 8 page paper discusses the biases found in the works of Thucydides, Tacitus, Herodotus and Plutarch, and what the cause of these biases may be. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 3 page paper the reforms of Cleisthenes which facilitated the transition from oligarchy and aristocracy to democracy in ancient Athens, discussing what was 'democratic' about his structure of trittyes. The bibliography cites 4 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines why the fall of the Roman Empire is interesting. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 5 page report discusses the Greek general and betrayer, Alcibiades’ (circa 450-404 BC) role in the Peloponnesian War. Alcibiades took full advantage of anybody’s weaknesses and created numerous situations in which Athens was at a disadvantage due to his manipulations. He can best be described as both “ill-fated” and “opportunistic.” His duplicitousness most certainly ...

A 3 page overview of the situation that resulted in ancient Rome regarding the displacement of farmers to the city. The author discusses the methods that were utilized to correct these problems. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper explores Suetonius' views on the Republic opposed to his views on the Principate. Contains quotes from “The Twelve Caesars”. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 6 page paper identifies several factors that acted as a stabilizing factor during this time period in the Roman Empire. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses Tacitus' portrayal of the Principate as a thinly disguised monarchy and relates the techniques he uses to persuade the reader of his point of view. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the contributions the Greeks and Romans made to the development of Western civilization. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the Trojan War: it argues that the war was real, and discusses the battle between Achilles and Hector. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

3 pages in length. Gates of Fire depicts Spartan military training as the unyielding way of life it was for boys who were deemed worthy of the honor. The extent to which Spartans lived and breathed for the state speaks to the steadfast dedication they displayed through their stringent military training; not only ...

This 5 page paper asserts that the so called Great Peace that characterized the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar was not entirely peaceful. While Rome improved the general welfare of those it incorporated into its Empire, that incorporation was not always voluntary. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 19 page paper summarizes the impact Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, the man that ultimately became Emperor Augustus, had on Rome. The changes he effected resulted in the Pax Romana. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 3-page paper examines Christian martyrs Perpetua and Origen and some of their differences and similarities. There are 2 sources cited.