Hellenic Society & Roman Society Online Course
6.00pm - 7.30pm (UK time) + recordings will be available
Dr Paul Roberts: Ancient Rome in 50 Monuments
“Rome was not built in a day.” Too true. It evolved over centuries, driven by politics, society, technology and its rulers, the Emperors. In Rome conspicuous display of wealth and power was paramount. Monuments symbolised that power. They were useful – theatre, temple, forum – but they also embellished the city and glorified the Emperors. Through these monuments, the kings and emperors who built them, and the impact they had, we’ll see Rome’s growth from hilltops of huts to the most wondrous city of antiquity.
Session 1. Wednesday 9 July
Origins The beginnings of Rome – its legendary foundation of Rome by its first king Romulus in 753BC, the Kingdom until 509BC, and then the Republic until the start of empire with the first emperor Augustus in 27BC. Monuments include the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and other temples such as those of Largo Argentina, to the main drain Cloaca Maxima, City walls, bridges, and finally, the theatres and forums of late Republican power-building potentates Pompey and Caesar.
Session 2. Wednesday 16 July
From brick to marble 27BC – AD15 The reign of Augustus, who “…found Rome brick and left it marble...” was a watershed in Rome’s monumentality. At the hands of Augustus, his family and friends, the city was transformed. The Roman Forum was almost entirely rebuilt and many other monuments arose, from Augustus’ Forum with its Temple of Mars, to the Theatre of Marcellus, the Altar of Augustan Peace and his own Mausoleum.
Session 3. Wednesday 23 July
New builders AD15 – AD98 Augustus’ dynasty could not match his monuments, but Claudius built usefully – ports and aqueducts – while the last of the line, Nero, built on Rome’s ashes his palace, the Domus Aurea. The next dynasty – the Flavians – were frenetic builders, from Vespasian’s Forum to the colosseum, the Imperial Palaces and the stadium of Domitian (todays’ Piazza Navona).
Session 4. Wednesday 30 July
A Glorious Age AD98 – AD217 Rome’s ‘Golden Age’. Strong, (adopted) emperors; Trajan – “finest of princes” – with his immense Forum and recast Circus Maximus; Hadrian – the great builder – completing the Pantheon, erecting his mausoleum and the Temple of Venus and Rome. Hadrian’s successors left monuments including Commodus’ temple, column (and horse!) of Marcus Aurelius. Septimius Severus restored monuments and began his mighty Baths (named after his son Caracalla).
Session 5. Wednesday 6 August
An Uncertain City AD217 – AD608 and beyond. The unstable third century. A steep increase in (weak) Emperors, and decrease in building – except for Aurelian’s great walls. In the 300s a flourish - the Baths of Diocletian - who stabilised (but split) the Empire; the Basilica of Maxentius. Constantine focused on churches – such as San Giovanni. After Rome’s sackings in the fifth century, the population declined - emperors were abolished! Monuments faced abandonment, decay, demolition or reuse. Baths were redundant, forums became farms, temples churches and theatres fortresses. But then the Renaissance, Mussolini’s ‘liberation’ of Augustan Rome and today’s new discoveries.
Recommended reading for each session will be suggested in advance; where possible, this will be made available on line.
Paul Roberts OBE was Keeper of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum, and Senior Curator at the British Museum. A classicist and Archaeologist (at Cambridge, Sheffield and Oxford) he lived, studied and excavated in Italy for many years. He has written widely on Roman life and culture. His latest book Ancient Rome in Fifty Monuments came out in Spring 2024. He has lectured extensively to the general public, schools and universities, archaeological societies, the Arts Society, and tours and cruises. In 2013 he curated Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum (2013) at the British Museum and in 2019 curated Last Supper in Pompeii at the Ashmolean.
Fees and Practical Information
-
Members of the Hellenic Society and Roman Society may book at a heavily discounted rate.
-
Hellenic Society and Roman Society Members: £60
-
Hellenic Society and Roman Society Student Members: £30
-
-
Lectures will be recorded and will be available for one month after the course has ended.
-
After booking, and before the course starts, you will receive an email with the Zoom link and any preparatory reading.
-
The course will be held on our Zoom platform. You will be able to ask questions using the chat or Q&A functions. It is not necessary to have a microphone or camera.
-
Additional reading / documents will be held on Google Drive and you will be sent the link.
-
-