Archaeology and Art History of Rome and the Roman Provinces

Teacher(s)

Cavalieri Marco; Tomassini Paolo (compensates Cavalieri Marco);

Language

French

Main themes

The course considers in-depth questions and specific problems of interpretation related to social and political reconstructions based on archaeological sources concerning the city of Rome, from its foundation to the High Middle Ages, on the one hand, and of Italy and the Roman provinces, especially the West, on the other. The questions addressed concern different fields, notably urbanism, architecture, building systems, etc., and tend towards the definition of an interpretative scheme of Roman ways of life over the centuries.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Advanced training for archaeologists engaged in the study of Roman archaeology both in Italy, the center of power, and in the provinces of the empire. The aim of the course is to develop students' critical thinking skills by using different methods of analysis of art (painting, sculpture, architecture) and material culture specific to this millenary civilization, thus avoiding any type of standardized approach or analysis. Application of theoretical and anthropological concepts used in archaeological interpretation, and appeal to literary and epigraphic sources from Latin antiquity.

Content

The course considers in-depth questions and specific problems of interpretation related to social and political reconstructions based on archaeological sources concerning the city of Rome, from its foundation to the High Middle Ages, on the one hand, and of Italy and the Roman provinces, especially the West, on the other. The questions addressed concern different fields, notably urbanism, architecture, building systems, etc., and tend towards the definition of an interpretative scheme of Roman ways of life over the centuries.

Teaching methods

A combination’of ex-cathedra lectures by the lecturer or invited guests and seminars.
Sessions may be prepared by students based on the reading of one or more articles, the list of which will be published at the beginning of the year.
They are also invited to participate actively in certain sessions which may take the form of a seminar.

Evaluation methods

Oral examination

Other information

In 2022-2023, the theme of the lectures will be the Roman city. The course will focus on a variety of urbanistic issues, including the organisation and articulation of urban space in the Roman world, the role of public buildings and infrastructure. As part of the program in archaeology and art history, we will also look at the architecture, decoration and construction techniques of the various buildings and structures that make up a city. Rome, Ostia and central Italy will be the starting point for a reflection that will be extended to the entire Roman world, particularly in the western provinces of the Empire.

Online resources

PowerPoints of the lectures and bibliography.

Bibliography

Adam J.P. 2008, La construction romaine : matériaux et techniques, Paris.
Grimal P., Woloch G. 1983, Roman Cities, London
Gros P. 2006, L'architecture romaine. 1. Les monuments publics, Paris.
Gros P., Torelli M.  2007, Storia dell’urbanistica. Il mondo romano, Roma.
Lafon X., Marc J.Y., Sartre M. 2011, Histoire de l'Europe urbaine. 1. La ville antique, Paris.
Zanker P. 2013, La citta romana, Roma
Zanker P. 2014, Die römische Stadt: eine kurze Geschichte, München

Faculty or entity

EHAC