Study Guide for Millar - Roman Near East

• There are some place-names, terms, people in this and the othe readings for the semester which will be important to identify, to make the reading sensible. In this reading, be sure you know:
  
1. Roman Emperors: Vespasian, Hadrian, Trajan
2. Roman provinces and places in Middle East: Judaea, SYria, Nabataea, Palaestina
3. Other Middle Eastern regions: Commagene, Cappadocia, Armenia, Parthia
4. Cities and places: Jerusalem, Petra, Antioch, Dura Europas, Egypt, Hedjaz, Arabia
5. Rivers: Orontes, Euphrates
   I will distribute in class maps of the Middle East throughout the semester--please keep them handy for use when reading assignments. I have distributed maps for the first week's readings in class [if you are doing these readings ahead of time, please pick up the maps in my office, 305 Linton Hall].


There are two questions to consider while reading this assignment; and you should respond to one on the FORM provided at the end of the reading itself.

1. Millar says in several places that the sources available do not give us a clear answer to the question:  Why was Rome interested in expanding into and dominating the Middle East?  What do you think?
2. Millar also says, though, that the sources are fairly clear on the effects of Roman rule in the Middle East. Which were the most important, in your opinion?