Splendor of Rome

Course Description:

Course Outline:

In the first two-thirds of the semester, class sessions will consist of lecture-discussion on the development of the city of Rome in the context of the social and political history of the Roman people. Rome's evolution, and that of particular building types, will be seen as a manifestation of the needs imposed by various internal and external historical developments: the different types of government and magistracies (e.g., Kings, Consuls and Emperors), the expansion of the Roman pantheon, the influx of wealth brought by each major conquest, and so on. Evidence brought to bear will consist of archaeological remains, ancient literary sources in translation, and a host of ancillary visual resources, from ancient coins with schematic depictions of buildings real or planned, to sketches, engravings, paintings and photographs of ruins that are no longer in existence in our time.

Several short quizzes, based on lecture-discussions and reading assignments, will be given throughout this phase.

For the second part of the semester, we will examine numerous building types in Rome (e.g., circuses, baths, amphitheaters, palaces, houses, warehouses, etc.) in greater detail, and in light of their social context. A brief introductory lecture will be given by the instructor in each session, after which three (3) students will give a 25 to 30-minute presentation on a related building in Rome. So, for the session devoted to Roman entertainments, topics for students will include the Circus Maximus or the Colosseum.

Textbooks (Required)

• Ramage, Nancy H. Roman Art: Romulus to Constantine Third Editions. Prentice Hall PTR, ISBN: 0130278831 (Feel free to purchase a used one online, just make sure it is the THIRD edition).

  This exceptionally well-illustrated text explores Roman art in the traditional historical manner Ñwith a focus on painting, sculpture, architecture, and minor arts. It assumes no prior acquaintance with the classical world, and explains the necessary linguistic, historical, religious, social, and political background needed to fully understand Roman art. In-depth information, historical photographs, drawings, engravings, and illustrations of architectural monuments, sculptures, paintings and decorative arts in all areas.

• Pollitt, J. J. The Art of Rome, Circa 753 B. C. - A. D. 337: Sources & Documents Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 052127365X

  This book consists of a comprehensive collection of ancient literary evidence on Roman art and artists, assembled together in translation and provided with linking passages to set the historical context. Its purpose is to make this evidence accessible to students who are not specialists in the classical languages or classical archaeology. The surviving evidence is limited in extent but extremely precious in quality. This volume makes virtually all of it available between one set of covers

• Plutarch, Roman Lives, transl. Robin Waterfield, Oxford, 1999 (paperback)

• Suetonius, The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, transl. Robert Graves, Welcome Rain, 2002 (paperback)

• Scarre, Chris, Penguin Atlas of the Roman World, Penguin

• Occasional handouts, as necessary (to be given at least one week prior to discussion)

Lecture and Reading Schedule

Term Paper Instructions

Format: The paper must be submitted in a neat, technically correct format, and it must use a standard type of presentation. 'Neat' and 'technically correct' means that you must proofread it for spelling and grammatical errors (failure to do so will affect your grade accordingly). Typical and acceptable guidebooks for presentation of term papers are the Chicago Style Manual, the MLA Style Manual, or Turabian's Guidefor the composition of term papers and theses. Any similar guide, however, is acceptable, as long as the format of presentation of your paper is consistent. The essay must be of sufficient length (8-10 doubled-space pages) in order to cite the relevant data, and to describe and to analyze the evidence.

Content: Simplistic recitations of known facts, or bald and unsupported assertions of your own opinions are not regarded as acceptable practice in historical or archaeological writing. You must dig beneath the surface of obvious characteristics and try to document some of the details, the problems of construction or reconstruction, and try to catch some of the nuances in arguments about interpretation or context.

You must show your reader upon what sort of evidence you are basing your conclusions and cite the evidence that substantiates the conclusions you are reaching. Actual quotation from original sources or excavation reports, however, should not be unduly lengthy (quotations should not form a substantial part of your paper). Only if some striking passage(s) elucidate the point you are trying to make, should you cite these word for word. In other cases, where the evidence keeps repeating itself, simply give a synopsis of your understanding of the basic meaning and trend of such evidence. In either case, always give specific references to where you have found your supporting evidence, whether you quote it, paraphrase it or summarize it.

Length: An absolute length in pages (beyond the minimum full eight pages, that is) is not as important as the quality of the work. Eight to ten single-sided, double-spaced pages with normal margins (one inch) and typefaces (no larger than 12 point, no smaller than 11 point) should be sufficient (i.e. about 2,400 to 3,000 words, not including end-notes, bibliography and illustrations).

Due Date (tough love speech #1): Your term paper is due one week after your presentation, at the beginning of the class session (4:30 p.m., sharp). Papers turned in late (including during the class session in which they are due) will be penalized, unless prior arrangements have been approved by me. Time extensions will be made only for truly extenuating circumstances, e.g., funerals, or illness with Doctor's note (broken-down computers or printers, or homework-eating dogs do not count!). This rule is mutually beneficial: it keeps you from dragging out this assignment to the detriment of your participation in this and other classes, and it keeps me from having a huge pile of papers to read all at once.

Attendance and participation is critical. Since each class session represents an entire week of schooling, unexcused absences from more than one full session will lower your overall grade by approximately one half letter grade (e.g., from B+ to B). This applies to everyone except those who are absent due to: 1) medical condition or emergency supported by a Doctor's note; 2) on- or off-campus Athletic or Academic competitions with a note from the appropriate director or coach on department letterhead; or funeral (a copy of the funeral program will suffice). Class members must be on time; it is disrespectful to instructors and fellow students to disturb the class by coming in late. Repeated tardiness will affect this portion of your grade. Therefore, if you do not think you can be in class regularly and on time, it is recommended that you do not take this class.