This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
The module covers the study of Roman art and architecture, including the close interpretation of works of art and buildings, and an investigation of the role of art and architecture within the wider Roman world. The geographical area covered will include both Rome and Italy, and provincial Roman sites and material. Aspects to be examined include context, dating, technique, styles and subject matter, and ideology including the role played by art in Roman society. Arranged broadly in chronological order, from the Republican to the late Roman period, the course gives an overview of the varied media and techniques used in Roman art and architecture and the changes in art style that occurred throughout the Roman period.
Total Contact Hours: 40
Private Study Hours: 260
Total Study Hours: 300
Autumn or Spring
Essay 1 (3,000) words) – 40%
Essay 2 (3,000 words) – 40%
Online Image Quiz – 20%
Indicative Reading List
Elsner, J. (1998) Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph: the art of the Roman Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Henig, M. (1983) A Handbook of Roman Art: a survey of the visual arts in the Roman World. Oxford: Phaidon
Ramage, N. and Ramage, M. (2009) Roman Art, Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall
Stewart, P. (2004) Roman Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Walker, S. (1991) Roman Art. London: British Museum Press
Wilson Jones, M. (2000) Principles of Roman Architecture. New Haven/London: Yale University Press.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Demonstrate familiarity with changes in Roman Art & Architecture from the late Republic to the late Roman period and relevant factors involved in these changes;
Demonstrate an understanding of how Roman art and architecture were perceived in the Roman world;
Make critical archaeological and art-historical evaluations of material evidence, i.e. surviving art works and buildings;
Demonstrate an understanding of the use of interdisciplinary source material, such as historical textual sources and epigraphic remains;
Demonstrate a knowledge of appropriate dating methods for Roman art works and buildings.
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