This course investigates the establishment and development of the Roman Empire, from the rise of Augustus to the peak of Roman power and prosperity in the second century AD. The course is organized around current methods, problems, and debates in the fields of Roman history and Classics. Topics include the creation of the imperial system; developments in the role of the emperor and the Roman government; continuity and transformation in society, culture, religion, economy, and identity with the shift from republic to empire; daily life across the empire and in the army. These topics will be studied through extensive analysis and discussion of literary, documentary, and archaeological sources, and close engagement with perspectives from works of contemporary scholarship. No knowledge of the ancient languages is required. (Same as HIST 507.) Prerequisite: Any CLSX or HIST course.