A history of Rome from the foundation of the Roman, Republic in the late 6th century B.C. to the end, of the Severan dynasty in 235 A.D. Special, emphasis on Rome's political transformation from a, republic to an empire and the effect of this, transition on Roman civilization. Topics include, Roman conquest and imperialism, religion, contact, with other Mediterranean cultures, class conflict,, law and governance, slavery, and family structure., The interpretation of primary-source materials, (especially ancient historical writings) and the, problems of reconstructing the history of a, civilization that flourished 2,000 years ago.