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We live in a post-imperial world, where the legacies of the great empires still dominate the political and social landscape. Our relationship to the concept of imperialism has changed dramatically in recent years, and where once empires were praised and admired, now nations are becoming distinctly embarrassed or uneasy with their own imperial heritage. Yet they have shaped our own modern political landscapes, as well as those of the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. 

In this module we draw upon Britain and Rome as examples of empires operating at different points in history. Whilst they may share ideas, they nonetheless operated in entirely different social, religious and political spheres. We shall consider their rise to power, their dominance over other polities, and their fall and defeat. We shall also reflect upon the imperial legacies offered by each, and how these were reworked and reimagined.

This module is designed to enable students to understand the experience of imperialism by comparing empires from diverse geographical and chronological contexts. It will allow for an understanding of the term ‘Empire’, and the importance of imperial powers throughout history. It will encourage comparative skills and source analysis.