DSBcA25 Topography of Ancient Rome and Italy

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught online.
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Marie Pardyová, CSc. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Markéta Melounová, Ph.D. (alternate examiner)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Markéta Melounová, Ph.D.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:40 G24
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of Ancient Greek and Roman history
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with a logical and functional overview of the topographical development of Ancient Italy and Rome as the main political, cultural, as well as iconic centre of Roman civilization.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to securely orientate themselves in the topography of Ancient Italy and the monuments of the most important centres of Roman civilization on the Apennine peninsula and the adjacent islands.
Syllabus
  • 1. Physical geography of Italy and its subdivision in the antiquity, after its downfall, in the Middle Ages, as well as today (since Italy´s unification). Localization of the pivotal cultures, their language, cultural and economic relationship to their environment. Mutual influence: see the Etruscans and the Latins. Expansion of Rome, Centuriation, the emergence of colonies, typical urban topography. The countryside: agricultural estates - villae and their potential in the further development.
  • 2. Latium vetus, Rome and south Sabina - the region where early Roman culture formed and from where it later expanded to other areas. Beginnings of Rome - urbs quadrata, septimontium, urban development of Rome during the reign of the Tarquins. Fortification and town in the Early and Middle Republic .
  • 3. Forum Romanum, topographic characteristics and development, Capitolium.
  • 4. The imperial fora, luxurious estates on the Palatine hill and in its surroundings (Nero´s complex Domus aurea, Domitian´s palace on the Palatine hill).
  • 5. Field of Mars and its development in the imperial period - significant buildings and monuments.
  • 6. Theatres, circuses, amphitheatres. Residential areas and their characteristics.
  • 7. Roman aquaeducts, roads, river traffic on the Tiber. The maritime satellite of the capital city - Ostia.
  • 8. Thermae, other evidence of Roman display - obeliscs, triumphal arches, imperial mausolea.
  • 9. Umbria, Latium, typical features of the area and its significant localities.
  • 10. Etruria, Gallia cisalpina, and the significant localities in the area.
  • 11. Campania, Samnium, Bruttium, Calabria, Apulia - Greek and Roman centres.
  • 12. Roman Sicily and other islands in the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Literature
    required literature
  • BRTNICKÝ, L. Topografie starověkého Říma. Praha, 1925. info
  • RICHARDSON, Lawrence Jr. A new topographical dictionary of ancient Rome. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Uiversity Press, 1992, xxxiv, 458. ISBN 0801843006. info
    recommended literature
  • DAL MASO, L. B. La Rome des Césars. Toute Rome antique hier et aujourd'hui. info
  • NASH, Ernest. Pictorial dictionary of ancient Rome. Rev. ed. London: Thames and Hudson, 1968, 535 s. info
  • NASH, Ernest. Pictorial dictionary of ancient Rome. Rev. ed. London: Thames and Hudson, 1968, 544 s. info
  • HELBIG, Wolfgang and Bernard ANDREAE. Führer durch die öffentlichen Sammlungen klassischer Altertümer in Rom. Museo Ostiense in Ostia antica, Museo der Villa Hadriana in Tivoli, Villa Albani. Edited by Hermine Speier. 4., völlig neu bearbeitete. Tübingen: Ernst Wasmuth, 1972, xxvii, 658. ISBN 3803010063. info
  • DAL MASO, L. B. Archaeological Latium. Milano 1980.
  • BORSARI, L. Topografia di Roma antica. Milano, 1897. info
  • LUGLI, G. I monumenti antichi di Roma e suburbio I-IV. Roma, 1931. info
  • LANCIANI, Rodolfo. Forma urbis Romae. Roma: Quasar, 2007, 11 s. ISBN 9788871403479. info
  • Atlante di Roma Antica : biografia e ritratti della città. Edited by Paolo Carafa - Andrea Carandini. Milano: Electa, 2012, 446 s. ISBN 9788837085100. info
  • Atlante di Roma Antica : biografia e ritratti della città. Edited by Paolo Carafa - Andrea Carandini. Milano: Electa, 2012, 637 s. ISBN 9788837085100. info
  • COARELLI, F. Roma. Guida archeologica. Roma 2004.
  • CLARIDGE, Amanda. Rome : an Oxford archaeological guide. Edited by Judith Toms - Tony Cubberley. Second edition, revised and. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010, xiv, 540. ISBN 9780199546831. info
  • SOMMELLA, P. Italia antica. L'urbanistica romana. Roma 1988.
Teaching methods
Lectures with rich supporting materials (maps, images).
Assessment methods
Two progress tests during the semester, final test at the end of the semester. Followed by an oral re-examination, if necessary.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2021/DSBcA25