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The Changing Landscape of Ancient Rome. Archaeology and History of the Palatine Hill

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Course Summary

Explore the fascinating history and archaeology of Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome's founders. Learn about the city's ancient structures, myths, and legends as you examine artifacts unearthed in recent excavations.

Key Learning Points

Discover the history and legends of Rome's Palatine Hill
Examine artifacts from recent excavations
Learn about ancient structures and their significance

Learning Outcomes

Understand the history and significance of Palatine Hill
Identify key structures and artifacts from recent excavations
Apply knowledge of ancient Rome to other historical contexts

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of ancient Rome and its history
Interest in archaeology and historical preservation

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced course
Video lectures
Quizzes and assignments

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Notable People in This Field

Classics Professor and Historian
Archaeologist and Egyptologist

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Description

Studying ancient - as well as medieval or modern - cities basically means telling local urban stories based on the reconstruction of changing landscapes through the centuries. Given the fragmentary nature of archaeological evidence, it is necessary to create new images that would give back the physical aspect of the urban landscape and that would bring it to life again. We are not just content with analyzing the many elements still visible of the ancient city. The connections between objects and architectures, visible and non visible buildings, which have been broken through time have to be rejoined, to acknowledge the elements that compose the urban landscape.

Landscape and its content are a very relevant and still vital part of any national cultural heritage. The course will introduce students to the way we have been reflecting on over the last twenty years and still are engaged with the study of the past of our cities, beginning from the most complex case in the ancient Mediterranean World: the core of Italy and of Roman Empire. On the other hand, knowledge means also preservation and defense of material remains and cultural memory. “The Changing Landscape of Ancient Rome. Archeology and History of the Palatine Hill” presents to a large public the topographical lay-out of the most relevant part of the city (according the Greek and Roman Historians Rome was founded on the Palatine). Research developed on the Palatine since the end of last century by the team of Sapienza Classical Archaeologists opened a new phase in the urban archaeological investigation and in the scientific debate about the relation between archaeological features and literary tradition as well as the “correct use“ of both kind of evidence, key issues of wide archaeological and historical significance.

Outline

From ruins to a full evidence local history (methods, procedures, tools)
Introduction
1.1 Classical Archaeology: artifacts (objects, architectures, landscapes) and history.
1.2 Talking with objects: from pots to Chronology.
1.3 Talking with earth, stones and bricks: from layers and walls to History
1.4 Introduction to ancient Rome.
1° tutorial
2° tutorial
3° tutorial
From ruins to a full evidence local history (methods, procedures, tools)

From a border land to the largest settlement in Latium (13th–9th cent. b.c.e.)
2.1 Before the City: pre-urban and proto-urban epoch.
2.2 Latium from Bronze Age to Iron age.
2.3 Rome from Bronze Age to Iron age.
2.4 Palatine from Bronze Age to Iron age.
From a border land to the largest settlement in Latium (13th–9th cent. b.c.e.)

A city - ruled by kings - is born (8th – 7th century b.c.e.).
3.1 The foundation of Rome: myth and rites.
3.2 The foundation of Rome: archaeology
3.3 Palatine during the reigns of earlier kings 1.
3.4 Palatine during the reigns of earlier kings 2.
A city - ruled by kings - is born (8th – 7th century b.c.e.).

New kings before a new State (6th – 3rd century b.c.e.).
4.1 Rome during the reigns of later kings.
4.2 Palatine during the reigns of later kings: noble residences and cult places.
4.3 From Monarchy to Republic.
4.4 Palatine during late republican period.
New kings before a new State (6th – 3rd century b.c.e.).

The Masters of an Empire (2nd - end of 1st century b.c.e.)
5.1 Palatine during late republican period.
5.2 Temples
5.3 Houses 1
5.4 Houses 2 (the house of Octavianus).
The Masters of an Empire (2nd - end of 1st century b.c.e.)

The Capital of the Empire (end of 1st century b.c.e. – beginning of 1st century c.e.)
6.1 From Republic to Empire
6.2 Palatine after the battle of Actium (year 31st b.c.e.)
6.3 The House of Augustus 1
6.4 The House of Augustus 2
The Capital of the Empire (end of 1st century b.c.e. – beginning of 1st century c.e.)

The Golden City (1st – 2nd century c.e.).
7.1 Palatine after the death of Augustus (Julio-Claudian dynasty).
7.2 The great fire of year 64 c.e. and Nero’s Palatine.
7.3 A new palace for the Emperor
7.4 The slopes of the Palatine
The Golden City (1st – 2nd century c.e.).

The Golden City and her decline (3rd – 6th century c.e.)
8.1 A larger and larger imperial Palace
8.2 A late noble residence
8.3 A new sanctuary for the goddess Vesta
8.4 Churches on the Palatine
The Golden City and her decline (3rd – 6th century c.e.)

Summary of User Reviews

The Palatine Hill Archaeology and History course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. They praised the course for its engaging content and informative lectures. Overall, users found the course to be an excellent learning experience.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Engaging content

Pros from User Reviews

Informative lectures
Engaging content
Expert instructors
Flexible schedule
Interactive quizzes

Cons from User Reviews

Some technical issues with the platform
Course material can be dense and challenging
Limited interaction with instructors
Course can be time-consuming
Limited feedback on assignments

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