DSMA06 Everyday Life in Ancient Rome

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025

The course is not taught in Spring 2025

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Markéta Melounová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
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
Prerequisites
!( OBOR ( DST ) && TYP_STUDIA ( B ))
At least basic knowledge of Roman political history. At least basic knowledge of Latin is welcome.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce students into various aspects of everyday life in the Roman Republic and the Empire.
The student will learn to use and translate terms relating to various areas of Roman private life properly.
Learning outcomes
After the completion of the course the student will be:
- provided with thorough knowledge of the Roman way of life, which will help him/her to better understand the development of Roman history and thought;
- able to critically evaluate, how accurately Roman realia have been employed in works of literature, fine arts or in a film.
Syllabus
  • 1) Sources and literature; the importance of research in the area destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 for learning about Roman private life.
  • 2) Housing - city I (private house).
  • 3) Housing - city II (insulae).
  • 4) Housing - countryside (villa rustica, villa urbana, gardens)
  • 5) House decoration and facilities.
  • 6) Agriculture (instruments, growing plants, animal breeding).
  • 7) Eating (food, drinks), banquets and entertainment.
  • 8) Crafts, commerce, trade associations, shopping (markets, retaurants).
  • 9) Clothing, shoes I (types of clothing & shoes).
  • 10) Clothing, shoes II (fabrics, cosmetics, hairstyles).
  • 11) Daily rhythm (counting time, daily activities); hygiene (baths, body care, toilets, sewerage and aquaeducts, disposing of rubbish).
  • 12) Calendar, games, festivals.
  • 13) Transport, communication (carriages; letters, writing accessories); books and booksellers.
Teaching methods
Familiarization with aforesaid areas through lectures and reading extracts from sources, especially from poetry, drama, private correspondence, satire, ancient novel.
Students will learn to identify and name parts of the house equipment, of garments etc. on pictures.
Assessment methods
Written test that shall also examine the knowledge of Latin terminology.
For the exam: a test and an essay.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2022, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/DSMA06