Roman Architecture from Coursera

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Syllabus

Introduction to Roman Architecture

Roman urbanism and introduction to the wide variety of Roman buildings covered in the course.

It Takes a City: The Founding of Rome and the Beginnings of Urbanism in Italy

Evolution of Roman architecture from the Iron Age through the Late Republic with emphasis on city planning, wall building, and early Roman temple architecture.

Technology and Revolution in Roman Architecture

The Revolution in Roman Architecture through the widespread adoption of opus caementicium (concrete) used for expressive as well as practical purposes.

Civic Life interrupted: Nightmare and Destiny on August 24, A.D. 79

Civic, commercial, and religious buildings of Pompeii buried by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 and later rediscovered. Daily life in Pompeii is illustrated through its bakeries and fast food stands and a moving account dramatizes what happened when disaster struck.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: Houses and Villas at Pompeii

Domestic architecture at Pompeii from its beginnings to the eruption of Vesuvius with emphasis on the development of the domus italica and the Hellenized domus and featuring the House of the Faun and Villa of the Mysteries.

Habitats at Herculaneum and Early Roman Interior Decoration

What befell the city of Herculaneum’s inhabitants when they tried to escape Vesuvius. The development of the city’s domestic architecture, especially the Houses of the Mosaic Atrium and the Stags, is traced as is the evolution of First and Second Style Roman wall painting, the latter transforming the flat wall into a panoramic window.

Gilding the Lily: Painting Palaces and Villas in the First Century A.D.

Third Style Roman wall painting in villas belonging to elite patrons. Third Style painting is characterized by departure from perspectival vistas and return to a flat wall decorated with panel pictures and attenuated architectural elements. The Fourth Style is a compendium of all previous styles. Both coexist in Nero’s Domus Aurea.

Exploring Special Subjects on Pompeian Walls

Painted renditions of special subjects inserted into Second through Fourth Style Roman wall paintings. These include mythological, landscape, genre, still life, and history painting, as well as painted portraiture. Highlights include the Dionysiac Mysteries paintings and the Riot in the Amphitheater, both from residences in Pompeii.

From Brick to Marble: Augustus Assembles Rome

Transformation of Rome by Augustus. Claiming to have found Rome a city of brick and leaving it a city of marble, Augustus exploited marble quarries at Luna (modern Carrara) to build his Forum, decorating it with replicas of Greek caryatids associating his era with Periclean Athens. The contemporary Ara Pacis served as the Luna marble embodiment of Augustus’ new hegemonic empire.

Accessing Afterlife: Tombs of Roman Aristocrats, Freedmen, and Slaves

Sepulchral architecture in Rome under Augustus. Roman tombs were built in a variety of personalized forms among them the pyramidal Tomb of the aristocrat Gaius Cestius, and the trapezoidal Tomb of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces, probably a former slave who made his fortune overseeing the baking and public distribution of bread for the Roman army.

Notorious Nero and His Amazing Architectural Legacy

Architecture under the Julio-Claudian emperors: Tiberius' Villa Jovis on Capri, and, in Rome and at Portus, the eccentric architecture of Claudius with its unique combination of finished and rusticated masonry. The culminating masterwork is Nero’s Domus Aurea with its octagonal room, one of the most important rooms in the history of Roman architecture.

The Creation of an Icon: The Colosseum and Contemporary Architecture in Rome

The Flavian dynasty of Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. Vespasian linked himself to Divus Claudius by completing the Claudianum, distanced himself from Nero by destroying part of the Domus Aurea, filling in the artificial lake and replacing it with the Colosseum. Titus commissioned Rome's first preserved example of the "imperial bath type," characterized by grand scale, axiality, and symmetry.

The Prince and the Palace: Human Made Divine on the Palatine Hill

The Domitianic Arch (and Tomb) of Titus celebrating the Flavian victory in the Jewish Wars; the Stadium of Domitian, its shape now preserved in Rome's Piazza Navona, the Imperial Palace on the Palatine Hill, designed by Rabirius and featuring Domitian as dominus et deus, and the Forum Transitorium, a narrow space with undulating columnar bays announcing the beginning of a "baroque" phase in Roman architecture. First Quiz is located here!

The Mother of All Forums: Civic Architecture in Rome under Trajan

Trajan’s monumental architecture in Rome references his expansion of the Roman Empire to its furthest reaches. Highlights include the Baths of Trajan and the Forum and Markets of Trajan, built on land that engineer/architect Apollodorus of Damascus created by cutting away part of the Quirinal Hill. The complex also includes the celebrated 125-foot Column of Trajan with a spiral frieze commemorating the emperor's military victories in Dacia.

Rome and a Villa: Hadrian's Pantheon and Tivoli Retreat

Architecture in and around Rome during Hadrian’s reign: the Temple of Venus and Roma possibly designed by Hadrian; the Pantheon, combining the marble porch and pediment of a traditional Greco-Roman temple with a vast concrete cylindrical drum, hemispherical dome, central oculus, and theatrical light effects; the Villa of Hadrian at Tivoli, where the emperor recreated buildings and works of art observed during his empire-wide travels; and the Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo).

The Roman Way of Life and Death at Ostia, The Port of Rome

Tour of Ostia, characterized by multi-storied residential buildings and widespread use of brick-faced concrete. The city's public face features the Forum, Capitolium, Theater, and Piazzale delle Corporazioni with its black-and-white mosaic shipping company advertisements. The Insula of Diana, a four-floor brick apartment building, and warehouses like the Horrea Epagathiana highlight the Ostian appreciation of the aesthetic qualities of exposed brick facing.

Bigger is Better: The Baths of Caracalla and Other Second-and Third-Century Buildings in Rome

Exploration of a "bigger is better" philosophy; exposed brick tombs with painted stucco and architectural elements; the Temple of Divine Antoninus Pius and Faustina and its post-antique afterlife as the Church of S. Lorenzo in Miranda; the earliest surviving triple-bayed Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum; the Septizodium, a lively baroque-style façade for Domitian's Palace on the Palatine Hill; and the colossal Baths of Caracalla

Hometown Boy: Honoring an Emperor's Roots in Roman North Africa

Timgad, Trajan’s colony for Roman army veterans, was designed as a castrum; Leptis Magna, with Carthaginian roots, was developed first under Augustus. Leptis-born Septimius Severus renovated his hometown featuring a forum, basilica, and arch. Entrepreneurs, providing animals to Rome's amphitheaters, commissioned Hunting Baths with intimate vaulted spaces revealed on the outside and silhouetted against the sea, suggesting that they knew how to innovate and enjoy life.

Baroque Extravaganzas: Rock Tombs, Fountains, and Sanctuaries in Jordan, Lebanon, and Libya

The baroque phenomenon in ancient Roman architecture where the traditional vocabulary of architecture (columns, pediments, et al) is manipulated to enliven building façades and inject them with dynamic motion. Appearing in Rome in the late first century A.D., baroque architecture was foremost in the Greek East where high-quality marble and expert marble carvers made it the architectural mode of choice. It foreshadowed Borromini’s showpieces of seventeenth-century Rome.

Roman Wine in Greek Bottles: The Rebirth of Athens

The rebirth of Athens under Rome’s foremost philhellenic emperors, Augustus and Hadrian. High quality Greek marble and expert Greek stone carvers produced notable edifices in Roman Greece dependent on a mutual exchange of architectural ideas and motifs between Rome and Athens. These include the Monument of Philopappos, the Library and Arch of Hadrian, and architectural additions or transformations made to the Acropolis and the Greek and Roman Agoras.

Making Mini Romes on the Western Frontier

Romanization was meant to provide amenities to Rome’s new colonies while, at the same time, transforming them into miniature versions of Rome. The focus here is on western frontier sites in what are now North Italy, France, Spain, and Croatia. Highlights include: the Theater at Orange, the Maison Carrée and the Pont-du-Gard at Nîmes, and the Trophy of Augustus at La Turbie.

Rome Redux: The Tetrarchic Renaissance

Except for the Aurelian Walls, Rome’s third century was an "architectural wasteland.” Diocletian created a new form of government called the Tetrarchy (four-man rule) with leaders in East and West. Public and private building campaigns in Rome and the provinces reflected the Empire's renewed stability and centered on enhancing or restoring buildings in the Roman Forum and constructing the Baths of Diocletian in Rome and Diocletian’s Palace at Split.

Rome of Constantine and a New Rome

Constantine commissioned buildings linked to the pagan past (Baths of Constantine) and others (Aula Palatina,Trier) looking to the Christian future. New architectural ideas abound. The "Temple of Minerva Medica" is decagonal and the Basilica Nova modeled on the frigidaria of Roman imperial baths. The Arch of Constantine commemorates Constantine's victory at the Milvian Bridge and serves as a compendium of Constantine's accomplishments matching those of “good” second-century Roman emperors.

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Covers first through fourth style Roman wall paintings, including landscapes, portraits, and mythological scenes

Explores the influence of Roman architecture on politics, society, and culture

Provides a virtual tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum, allowing learners to explore their buildings and frescoes

Traces the development of Roman architecture from its origins to the time of Constantine, highlighting the use of concrete and its impact on the field

Examines the role of Roman sepulchral architecture in expressing social and political values

Taught by Diana E.E. Kleiner, an archaeologist with expertise in Roman architecture

Reviews summary

Informative roman architecture

learners say this course is largely positive, with students expressing that they found this engaging course well received. Knowledgeable Professor Diana E.E. Kleiner expertly teaches the course. The course focuses on Roman architectural history and styles across time, locations, and buildings. Assignments are challenging but rewarding and include essays, quizzes, projects, and peer review.

The course features a variety of assessment formats, including essays, quizzes, projects, and peer assessments.

"Essays on interesting topics, as well as interesting to read essays of fellow students and check them, knowledge is checked both during the lectures themselves, and as part of the tests, which allows you to immediately understand where you have spaces and repeat the materials."

This comprehensive course covers a wide range of Roman architectural history, from the Republic to the Empire.

"It is an amazing course! I enjoyed it and learned a lot about Roman Architecture, and its influence on architecture in the following times."

"My professor of history in architecture could learn form you."

"Professor Klein's deep background of Roman architecture gave me a much wider understanding of the individual monuments that I visited when in Rome, as well as gave me a good understanding of architectural terms in general such as spandrel, spolia, loggia, entablature, dentil, cella, etc."

Professor Kleiner is an engaging and experienced teacher who brings her passion for Roman architecture to the course.

"The lectures are super interesting and good to follow."

"It surely widened my horizon!"

"Professor Kleiner teaches the subject straight from the heart and makes non architecture students like myself learn so much and achieve good grade."

There have been sporadic reports of technical issues with the course, such as videos cutting off before the end.

"Only downsides are that videos (from 2009, which is fine) seem to cut themselves off just before the end."

"You can still scroll down and read the text, but it is disconcerting."

Some learners have expressed concern that the course content may be outdated since it was recorded in 2009.

"Muy interesante.La profesora Kleiner ofrece unas clases interesantes a la par que entretenidas y en las que te obliga a pensar.El curso te quiere atento a todas las explicaciones.Pongo una pega: es del año 2009 y algunas cosas han cambiado en lo que sabemos de Pompeya, por ejemplo."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Roman Architecture with these activities:

Review the history of Roman architecture

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Reviewing the history of Roman architecture will provide you with a strong foundation for understanding the course material.

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Read the introductory chapter of your textbook.
Watch a documentary on Roman architecture.
Visit a local museum or historical site that features Roman architecture.

Find a mentor who can help you learn about Roman architecture

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Finding a mentor will help you to learn from someone who has experience in Roman architecture.

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Identify someone who has experience in Roman architecture.
Contact the person and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.

Take a practice quiz on Roman architecture

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Taking practice quizzes will help you to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need more practice.

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Find a practice quiz on Roman architecture online or in a textbook.
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Watch a video tutorial on Roman architecture

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Watching video tutorials will help you to learn about Roman architecture in a visual and engaging way.

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Find a video tutorial on Roman architecture online or in a textbook.
Watch the tutorial and take notes.

Review a book on Roman architecture

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Reviewing a book on Roman architecture will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

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Choose a book on Roman architecture that you would like to review.
Read the book and take notes.
Write a review of the book.

Build a model of a Roman building

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Building a model of a Roman building will help you to understand the architectural principles and techniques used by the Romans.

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Choose a Roman building that you would like to model.
Gather materials such as cardboard, paper, and glue.
Design and build your model.
Present your model to the class.

Mentor a fellow student in Roman architecture

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Mentoring a fellow student will help you to deepen your understanding of Roman architecture and improve your communication skills.

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Find a fellow student who is interested in learning about Roman architecture.
Meet with the student regularly to discuss Roman architecture and answer their questions.

Write a report on a specific Roman建築

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Writing a report on a specific Roman building will help you to develop your research and writing skills.

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Choose a Roman building that you would like to write about.
Research the building using books, articles, and online resources.
Write a report that includes a description of the building, its history, and its significance.

Career center

Learners who complete Roman Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Architectural Historian

Architectural historians can describe the evolution of Roman architecture over time, from humble beginnings to the period of imperial expansion, by discussing the development of architectural techniques, materials, and styles. An architectural historian might specialize in a particular period of Roman history or a particular type of Roman building, such as temples or villas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Historian

Architectural Conservator

Architectural conservators preserve and restore historic buildings. They use their knowledge of architectural history and materials to repair and maintain buildings so that they can be enjoyed by future generations. This course can help architectural conservators understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the conservation of Roman buildings.

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Architect

Architects are responsible for designing buildings and other structures. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to create buildings that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course can help architects understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of modern buildings.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study the human past through the excavation and analysis of material remains. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to understand how ancient buildings were used and how they reflect the culture of the people who built them. This course can help archaeologists understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the excavation and analysis of Roman sites.

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Museum curator

Museum curators are responsible for the care and display of museum collections. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to create exhibits that are both informative and engaging. This course can help museum curators understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of exhibits on Roman art and architecture.

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Tour Guide

Tour guides lead tours of historic sites and museums. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to explain the significance of buildings and artifacts to visitors. This course can help tour guides understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of tours of Roman sites.

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Historic Preservationist

Historic preservationists work to preserve and protect historic buildings and sites. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to develop plans for the preservation and restoration of historic properties. This course can help historic preservationists understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the preservation and restoration of Roman buildings.

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Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents help people buy and sell property. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to evaluate the value of properties and to help clients make informed decisions. This course can help real estate agents understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the evaluation of Roman properties.

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Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design and build infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to create structures that are both safe and efficient. This course can help civil engineers understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of modern infrastructure.

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Interior designer

Interior designers create the interior spaces of buildings. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course can help interior designers understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of Roman-inspired interiors.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design and create outdoor spaces. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course can help landscape architects understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of Roman-inspired landscapes.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners design and plan cities and towns. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to create plans that are both sustainable and aesthetically pleasing. This course can help urban planners understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the design of modern cities and towns.

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Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course can help construction managers understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the management of Roman construction projects.

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Project Manager

Project managers oversee the planning and execution of projects. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course may help project managers understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the management of Roman projects.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts help organizations improve their performance. They use their knowledge of architectural history and theory to analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. This course may help business analysts understand the principles of Roman architecture, which can be applied to the analysis of Roman businesses.

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