SEMINARS SPRING 2009
HONR 228W The Ancient Roman City: Pompeii and Beyond
Thursday 4:00-6:30 pm
Dr. Robert Vann, School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
Most major western European cities owe their original planning to the ancient Romans. From London to Damascus the central core of early 21st century cities can be traced back to either the creation of a new Roman town or perhaps the rebuilding of an earlier settlement in the Roman style. This course is designed to explore the Roman city through an analysis of its architecture and planning. Why were cities built where they were? Why did some flourish while others now stand as isolated ruins? What buildings populated those cities and how were they used?
Using Rome and Pompeii as our principal examples, we will analyze the architecture of the Roman city as a reflection of its cultural environment. A thorough understanding of the ancient city will not be limited to the public and religious buildings. Houses, government buildings, temples, theaters, baths, and amphitheaters will be investigated in light of what the Romans themselves tell us about their daily life and environment. But we will visit the bars and the brothels, the harbors and the warehouses, in order to understand a more complete picture of ancient Roman society. The importance of reading these original sources (in translation) will confirm how little we've changed over the past two thousand years.
Grading in the course will be based on oral presentations, a participation during class discussions, two short writing assignments (5-6 pages), and a comprehensive research project.
Reading List:
Leslie and Roy Adkins, Handbook of Life in Ancient Rome
Jerome Carcopino, Daily Life in Ancient Rome; Pierre Grimal,
Ancient Roman Cities
E.J. Owens, The City in the Greek and Roman World
Lawrence Richardson, The Architecture of Pompeii
O.F. Robinson, Ancient Rome: City Planning and Administration
John E. Stambaugh, The Ancient Roman City
Paul Zanker, Pompeii: Public and Private Life
CORE: History or Theory of the Arts [HA]
