ART 319 -01, Ancient Roman Art and Architecture, Spring 2012

Abstract

This course is a chronological introduction to the art, architecture, and archaeology of the ancient Roman world from the Republic to the time of Constantine. We will investigate what the Romans themselves considered “art” to be and how to historically contextualize the variety of Roman visual culture, including not only sculpture and architecture, but also fresco painting, coins, gemstones, and urban infrastructure and design. Other topics to be considered include the propagandistic and ideological use of visual culture by Roman emperors, issues of gender and class in private patronage, domestic architecture, funerary art, and the art of the Roman provinces. Students will also read current scholarly literature and learn to read and analyze art historical and archaeological writing. These skills will be developed through a series of brief, written abstracts of articles and a longer research paper. In short, this course provides students with the art historical vocabulary, critical skills, and visual literacy to analyze ancient Roman monuments within a historical context.