Roman history: the first five Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Claudius

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Course code: SRS5

The dramatic lives of the first five Roman emperors: colourful tales of families, power, lust, madness and murder.

when
From 04 Nov 2025 to 02 Dec 2025
Tue 13:00-15:00  5 weeks
Date
04 Nov 2025
Time
13:00 to 15:00
Date
11 Nov 2025
Time
13:00 to 15:00
Date
18 Nov 2025
Time
13:00 to 15:00
Date
25 Nov 2025
Time
13:00 to 15:00
Date
02 Dec 2025
Time
13:00 to 15:00
Tutor
Richard Stride
where
Stoke Lodge 

Stoke Lodge Centre, Shirehampton Road
Stoke Bishop
Bristol
BS9 1BN


fees
full fee for this course £84.00, concession fee £50.00
who

Bristol Adult Learning

stokelodge@bristol.gov.uk

0117 903 8844

Description

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">The life and times of the first five Roman emperors – made famous by Robert Graves in his novel <em>‘I, Claudius’</em>. This five-week course looks at the lives of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius.</span></span></p>

What can students expect?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">The Roman author Suetonius has left us a very rich source of information on these five colourful and often bizarre characters, ranging from steely Julius Caesar, through clever Augustus and Tiberius to the possibly/probably insane Caligula and the clumsy Claudius. But it’s not just the men … the period is packed full of women who are just as adapt at manipulating and murdering as their menfolk.</span></span></span></p>

Late starters allowed?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">No</span></span></span></p>

Previous experience required?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">No</span></span></span></p>

What is the progression route?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">I run other ancient history courses at Stoke Lodge. This one fits nicely with my ‘Cleopatra’ course.</span></span></span></p>

Are there any extra costs?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">No</span></span></span></p>

Work set between sessions?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">N/A</span></span></span></p>

Teaching method/style?

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Informal lecture around a lot of pictures, and maybe some video clips too.</span></span></span></span></span></p>

Refunds and cancellations

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">Course Cancellations by Us</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           If we cancel your course, your fees will be refunded in full.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           We cannot reimburse the cost of any materials you may have purchased.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">Cancellations by You</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           If you cancel 7 days or more before the course start date: Refund issued minus a 20% administration fee.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           If you cancel less than 7 days before the start date or after the course has started: No refund will be issued.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">Transfers</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           Transfers must be requested at least 7 days before the course start date.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           A 10% transfer fee applies.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           Transfers due to our cancellation of your original course are free of charge.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">Illness and Absence</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           No refunds are available for non-attendance due to sickness or ill health.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">How Refunds Are Issued</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           Refunds are returned via the original payment method:</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           Booked online or by phone - Refund to the card used.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           Paid in person at Stoke Lodge - Please bring your payment card to the office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">Online Course Access</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           Learners are responsible for ensuring they have suitable internet access and equipment before the course begins.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&#34;Times New Roman&#34;,serif"><span style="font-family:&#34;Arial&#34;,sans-serif">•           No refunds will be issued due to technical issues with a learner’s own internet or computer.</span></span></span></p>