Module overview
This module focusses on the city of Rome and its development from its early foundation through to the third century AD. It explores the evidence for one of the most important cities of the ancient world, which at its height was home to approximately a million people. During this time, it developed from a small village to a metropolis, but at the same time, changing social and political structures also resulted in changes to the architecture of the city, at its most radical, changing it from the canvas for elite competition to the playground of the emperors. Roman was a place of large-scale events, whether political, religious, military, or entertainment, carried out in the public space of the city. Space and society were interlinked.
In this module you will examine the development of key areas in the city, such as the Forum Romanum, the imperial fora, the colosseum and temples. You will not only look at the architecture of these, but also the evidence for how they were used. At the same time, you will look at the social and political structures of the city, and how activities such as voting, religious festivals, military triumphs used the public spaces of the city.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the impact of political and social change in altering the image of the city
- the organisation of Roman politics and political activity
- the topography of Rome as a city
- the different types of Roman buildings, public and private, and their uses
- different types of social, political and religious rituals
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- interpret the connection between architecture and politics synchronically and diachronically
- relate the development of the city of Rome to social and political change
- relate textual and architectural evidence
Syllabus
This module will look in depth at the City of Rome, its structure, development, society, politics and intellectual life. It will begin by looking at the origins and historical development of the city and the growth of its population. It will then focus on political and military activity in the last two centuries BC, and in particular, the idea of the city as the stage for elite competition. We will then explore the impact of the emperors on the city, their building programmes, and how it became an imperial city. Finally, we will look at everyday life in the city, such as religion, entertainment (including gladiatorial games), housing, burial and supply. Each theme will be introduced by a lecture, whilst the seminars will be used to examine the evidence, and discuss particular questions relevant to each theme.
Topics may include
- the origins of Rome
- the population of Rome
- politics in the Republic
- the victorious general
- the imperial city 1: the imperial fora
- the imperial city 2: palaces and tombs
- religious ritual and temples
- entertaining the masses
- houses and housing
- death and commemoration
- feeding Rome
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- lectures
- seminars focussing on reading and analysis of primary sources, including texts, buildings and images
Learning activities include
- independent study
- library research
- independent group work
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 11 |
| Revision | 33 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 22 |
| Follow-up work | 22 |
| Lecture | 12 |
| Completion of assessment task | 50 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
H.I. Flower (ed.) (2004). The Cambridge Companion to the Roman Republic.
J.R. Patterson (1999). Political Life in the City of Rome.
M. Beard and M.H. Crawford (eds) (1999). Rome in the Late Republic: Problems and Interpretations.
J. Coulston (2000). Ancient Rome: the Archaeology of the Eternal City.
Claridge, A. (1998). Rome: an archaeological guide. Oxford University Press.
M. Boatwright, D. Gargola, R. Talbert (eds) (2004). The Romans. From Village to Empire.
Coarelli, F. (2007). Rome and its environs: an archaeological guide. University of California Press.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 50% |
| Written assignment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External