Basic knowledge of Roman History and Greek Archaeology

The objective of the course is to provide a basic knowledge of Roman archaeology, with particular attention to urbanism, architecture and figurative arts (sculpture and painting) from the Republican period to Late antiquity. The lessons will focus on the city of Rome, from its birth to its urban and monumental development, providing the students with some critical tools for the study of archaeological contexts and monuments.

• Knowledge and understanding 

Knowledge and understanding of the main topics and conceptual systems of the discipline, on figurative arts, urban planning, and architecture in ancient Rome. 

• Ability to apply knowledge and understanding 

Ability to apply knowledge through a correct classification of artistic productions and material culture, placing them in their historical social and cultural context. 

- Autonomy of judgment 

Ability to critically analyse the meaning of Roman material culture in its historical and cultural context 

- Communication skills 

Communication skills and appropriate language in the description of monuments and images of the Roman art. 

- Learning ability 

Ability to learn the historical evolution of the discipline and the methodologies of archaeological and historical-artistic research. 

The course will be based on lectures with Powerpoint presentations. Lessons attendance is highly recommended. On request, the teaching staff will provide extra support during the self-learning hours. 

Oral examination: the students will discuss some of the topics presented during the lessons and studied on the textbook. The student will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of the contents exposed during the oral examination, the formal correctness and the ability for critical reflection and argumentation. 

The teaching material consists of the recommended textbooks and other bibliography available to students on the e-learning platform. 

Students have to book the final exam only through the VOL system.

Any changes to the dates of the exam sessions will be published on the teacher's website.

The Early Romans and Their Ancestors (ca. 1000 - 500 BCE)

Lecture 1: The Early Italians and the Etruscans in Rome

 

The Roman Republic's Rise and Fall (509 - 31 BCE)

Lecture 2: The Early and Middle Republic (509 - ca. 200 BCE)

Lecture 3: The Late Republic (ca. 200 - 31 BCE)

 

Augustus and the Early Roman Empire (31 BCE - 1st century CE)

Lecture 4: The Age of Augustus (31 BCE - 14 CE)

Lecture 5: The Julio-Claudian Emperors (14 - 68 CE)

Lecture 6 : The Flavian Emperors (69 - 96 CE)

 

Rome at its Zenith (2nd century CE)

Lecture 7:  Trajan

Lecture 8: Hadrian

Lecture 9 :The Antonine Emperors

Lecture 10: The Severan Emperors

 

Crisis and Conclusion (3rd to 7th centuries CE)

Lecture 11: The Third Century Crisis and the Tetrarchy

Lecture 12: Rome in Late Antiquity

M. D. Fullerton, Art & Archaeology of the Roman World, Thames & Hudson 2020 

Further readings: 

- B. Borg (ed.), A Companion to Roman Art, Wiley Blackwell 2015. 

- R. B. Ulrich, C. K. Quenemoen (eds.), A Companion to Roman Architecture, Wiley Blackwell 2013 (chapters 3, 4, 5)