This course, which is taught on site in Rome and in the Bay of Naples, examines the history, architecture, art and features of daily life as it was lived by the ancient Romans through a sustained engagement with the topography of these areas and their environs. While our focus will be on the period between the 2nd century BCE and the 4th century CE, we will also consider some of the long-term developments and influences of Roman culture as they manifest themselves in medieval, renaissance and modern-day Rome. A few themes and topics that we will explore throughout the course include: the material and cultural transformation of Rome’s public spaces and civic image over time; the influence of urban life and customs on the production of Latin literature and Roman art; and especially, the monumental contexts of Roman religion and ritual practice, from the Late Republican period to the rise of Christianity.

The course has no prerequisites, though some familiarity with the ancient world would be helpful. During the term, we will bring a variety of scholarly approaches to bear on our inquiry into the many spaces, objects and texts we will encounter, which will include wall paintings, sculptures, mosaics, coins, inscriptions, Latin poetry and prose, and examples of both public and domestic architecture. We will spend a majority of our time visiting archaeological sites, monuments and museums, and assessing their material remains through observation, discussion and written analyses. We will also read and reflect upon some important primary and secondary sources in order to gain an awareness of the cultural and socio-historical contexts of these remains. Finally, we will learn about some of the processes and problems surrounding the discovery, preservation and presentation of the material legacy of the past.

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Locate important sites and monuments on a map of modern Rome and Italy
2. Identify basic architectural styles, features and building materials used by the Romans
3. Talk meaningfully about art and ancient material remains in terms of what s/he knows about Roman history, daily life and culture
4. Assess the continued influence of Roman art, architecture and culture more generally on later historical periods
5. Explain salient issues surrounding the preservation and presentation of ancient material remains