Archaeology of Rome and the Roman Provinces

obligatory courses

Classroom

The material culture of the Roman Republic and Empire as investigated during archaeological fieldwork.

The idea of the Archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces classes is to provide the students with a comprehensive overview on the material remains of Roman culture as well as the most important phases of development as seen in the provinces as well as the major sites such as Rome, Pompeii, Ostia and also Novae, where the University of Warsaw is conducting fieldwork. They will acquire knowledge and skills useful in contemporary research practice in the subject area. The participants will learn proper terminology, chronological systems and a grasp on academic writing.

The lectures comprise topics like: The Geography of the Roman Provinces, the Limes, the Roman Army Camp, Water Supply, Geography, Resources and Trade, Roman pottery, Roman religion, the City of Rome, the Roman House, Pompeii, Epigraphy, Roman philosophy and state philosophy.

Vitruvius, De architectura libri decem

Vegetius, Epitoma Rei Militaris;

D.S. Potter (ed), A Companion To The Roman Empire (Blackwell Companions To The Roman World), Oxford, 2006;

Adkins, L., Adkins, R., Ancient Rome, (Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome, Updated Edition), New York, 2004;

M. Bishop, Handbook to Roman Legionary Fortresses

D. Campbell, Roman Legionary Fortresses 27BC-378AD

A. Goldsworthy, The Complete Roman Army.

J. Rüpke (ed.), A Companion to Roman Religion.

C. Bruun, J. Edmondson (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Roman Epigraphy, Oxford University Press, 2015

E. Luttwak, The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire,

Students will acquire knowledge of basic terminology related to the archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces and will learn about the past living conditions. They will develop competence in critical analysis of information sources, and learn how to read and interpret academic publications and go through some excercises to write on their own (academic writing).

By the end of the semester they will be able to recognize, classify and provisionally date basic Roman structures and artefacts such as the major buildings in Rome and Pompei, various Limes sites as well as pottery, epigraphic monuments and religious concepts.

Participants will acquire both objective knowledge of facts and practical skills related to interpretation of archaeological data and presentation. They will learn the rules of academic discussion and will be given guidelines for preparation of a paper on a chosen subject (academic writing).

The students

use their knowledge and skills and is aware of the need to challenge themselves through the opinions of experts (K_K01)

recognise the significant importance of material remains, languages and written sources from ancient Rome as part of the cultural heritage of humanity (K_K02)

appreciate the unique value of archaeological sources and their role in reconstructing the human past (K_K03)

critically assess the interpretation of archaeological and historical sources with awareness of multi-faceted interpretation (K_K04)

use their knowledge of the comprehensive nature of culture and its complexity, with the awareness of the need to analyse various categories of sources to reconstruct the human past (K_K05)

Students' attendance involving active engagement in discussions is mandatory, however three absences per semester are allowed without justification. The acquisition of this knowledge during the lecture will be assessed during a short exam at the end of each semester. Exemplary questions and nomenclature to be learned will be given in advance.