This module is designed to thoroughly introduce students to a well-studied aspect of Roman archaeology, that of its art and architecture. The module will cover the periods from the first century BC up to late Antiquity, including late Republican, Imperial and late Roman remains. The main areas of focus for the early part of the module will be the city of Rome and Italian sites such as Pompeii and Ostia. Sites in southern France and Spain will also be explored, as a means of questioning the influence of Roman styles in other areas. A multiplicity of types of sites will be examined for understanding Roman building techniques; these will include temples, fora, theatres, amphitheatres and housing. The art of painting, sculpture and mosaic work will be studied in conjunction with the sites. ‘Minor arts’ such as glass, cameos, jewellery, metal work and coins are examined in relation to their historical, spatial and social context. Throughout the module examinations will not only be made into the styles, development and changes to the art and architecture, but questions will be raised about the cultural view of the remains, which is important for understanding the roles the sites and artistic work played in Roman society. Here specific issues of propaganda, mythology, erotica and gender will be discussed. Moreover, the historical events will be explored to see what significance and influence they played on artistic and architectural styles, as well as patronage. Thus, the module will supply students with a thorough grounding in the multiple issues raised in the study of Roman art and architecture.

100% Coursework

• E D'AMBRA - 'Art and Identity in the Roman World', Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1998
• J ELSNER - 'Art and Text in Roman Culture', CUP, 1996
• J ELSNER - 'Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph', OUP, 1998
• N RAMAGE & M RAMAGE - 'Roman Art', Laurence King, 1995
• P STEWART - 'Roman Art', 2004

See the library reading list for this module

• Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with changes in Roman Art and Architecture from the Late Republic to the fourth century
• Students will be able to make critical archaeological and art historical interpretations of material remains
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of using interdisciplinary source material, such as historical textual sources and epigraphic remains
• Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the methods of dating remains though their styles
• Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of how art and structures were perceived in the Roman world
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role historical event played on the development and styles of Roman material remains

No pre-requisites