Ancient Rome Course Summary:

Individual Ancient Rome course units are here followed by additional internet links.

The course briefly surveys pre-Roman Italy and then considers important events and people during the ancient Roman monarchy, the Roman republic, and the Roman Empire up to Constantine's transfer of the capital to Constantinople in the early 4th century AD and the subsequent takeover of the Western Empire by barbarian kings.  We also consider the life and lifestyle of the "average" Roman (if there ever was such a person) and end the course with a class on how ancient republican Rome became a model for our American founding fathers. 

Textbooks:  None are needed. 
The usual copious handouts are provided.  But, if you feel that you simply must have a book or three, here are some suggestions:  Richardson's A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome is a great source, but it costs about $80 through on line booksellers.  It was published in 1992, so it does not include the excavations of Rome's Imperial Forums which were accomplished after that time.  Large parts of the "old" -- 1929 -- topo dictionary, which Richardson revised and updated, are available free on the Internet at http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/
_Texts/PLATOP*/home*.html.   Also, Cary and Scullard's A History of Rome Down to the Reign of Constantine is the textbook of choice for many university courses (about $70 on the Internet).  One of the great book bargains available from internet booksellers is the Oxford Archeological Guide to Rome (about $14 used,  $17 new).  The most commonly used book on how Romans lived is Daily Life of the Ancient Romans by David Matz (about $50 from online booksellers), but I prefer the older -- and free! -- The Private Life of the Romans by the Johnstons, on the Internet at http://www.forumromanum.org/life/johnston.html .