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

What's inside

Syllabus

From ruins to a full evidence local history (methods, procedures, tools)

As a welcome module, the course will start discussing how we can move back through time and space to draw an updated archeological chart of the Palatine, to be integrated when possible with missing or lost part of the ancient overall framework, in order to be turned into the basic tool for describing diachronically architectural and topographical continuity and discontinuity. This aiming at the reconstructions of sequences of facts and at a historical reconstruction tout-court. By the end of this module you will able to: - classify archaeological evidence - draw an archaeological chart - try to integrate missing part of buildings/monuments if possible

From a border land to the largest settlement in Latium (13th–9th cent. b.c.e.)

The whole story of city parts begins before the foundation of the city itself. In this module we will discuss how archaeological evidence and roman cultural memory allow to envision the faster and faster development from a number of dispersed peer communities to unified settlement, anticipating and somehow preparing the birth of the City. By the end of this module you will able to: - identify central Italian Bronze and Iron Age artifacts - define and identify pre- and proto-urban topographical and social organization - try to compare archaeological features and literary tradition

A city - ruled by kings - is born (8th – 7th century b.c.e.).

April 21st year 753 before common era. This is the day when the Romans believed their city had been founded. And they were probably right. According to the Roman foundation legend, a prince born in Alba Longa by a god and the young king’s daughter - Romulus - founded the city. He celebrated an elaborated rite on the Palatine, killed his twin brother - Remus - encircled the Palatine with a sacred wall, gave the Romans a constitution and reigned over the new born city for 37 years. Thanks to the results of our recent archaeological excavations we know now that the core of the legend is true. By the end of this module you will able to: - discuss present state of scientific debate about the birth of the city in Central Italy - define and identify urban political organizations - identify Late Iron Age and Early Archaic artifacts and building techniques.

New kings before a new State (6th – 3rd century b.c.e.).

Just one hundred and fifty years after the foundation, huts and pebble streets were substituted by more substantial buildings and paved streets. On and around the Palatine, as well as in other districts of the city, Houses and temples resting on squared blocks foundations and covered by roofs made of clay tiles replaced huts. Streets were paved by rock slabs and new drains allowed to keep lower areas dry, even during flooding winter seasons. In year 509 before common era, the king was sent into exile and two young aristocrats declared themselves first annual magistrates of a new State: the Roman Republic. From the 5th to the end of the 3rd century before common era, Rome had to fight to survive and the urban lay-out of the hill is not altered by relevant changes. By the end of this module you will able to: - discuss major changes occurred between the late archaic period, early- and mid- republican phases in Rome - define and identify a certain number of Roman monuments and/or places - identify Late Archaic and early/middle Repubblican artifacts, decorations and building techniques

The Masters of an Empire (2nd - end of 1st century b.c.e.)

In the course of nearly three hundred years – from 509 till 202 b.c.e. - central, southern and northern Italy were conquered by the Romans and included into the Roman political organization as submitted or allied territories. Later on, year 146 b.c.e. was the real turning point. Greece became a Roman Province. Carthage – a city in north Africa, Rome’s enemy number one – was destroyed. The Mediterranean sea was roman: Mare nostrum, they called it: “Our Sea”. The republican political system was still working but this was, in fact, the beginning of a new Empire. The luxurious residences of the most eminent civil and political actors - nobles, knights, senators, magistrates and so forth - were on the Palatine, “the most beautiful part of the City”. By the end of this module you will able to: discuss major changes occurred during the Late Republican phase in Rome define and identify a certain number of Roman monuments and/or places identify Late Repubblican artifacts, decorations and building techniques

The Capital of the Empire (end of 1st century b.c.e. – beginning of 1st century c.e.)

Year 31 b.c.e. After nearly fifty year of Civil Wars, a 32 years old man, son of a sister of Julius Caesar, defeated his last enemy. Few years later - 27 and 23 b.c.e. – Roman Senators assigned him an immense power, asking him to watch over a new era of peace and respect for Roman laws and ancient traditions. They called him Augustus, a word meaning “blessed by Jupiter the king of the Gods”. The nephew of Julius Caesar became the first Emperor of Rome, and choose the Palatine as his own residing place. By the end of this module you will able to: - discuss major changes occurred between Late Republican phase and Augustan age in Rome - define and identify a certain number of Roman monuments and/or places - identify Augustan artifacts, decorations and building techniques

The Golden City (1st – 2nd century c.e.).

Imperial Rome was much more like a contemporary metropolis than we can imagine. Urban landscape, in particular on and around the Palatine, was crowded by: luxury residences and, first among them, the Imperial Palace on the Palatine; buildings for spectacles; baths: buildings for leisure and culture; temples and cult places for traditional gods and for new gods, that is the deified emperors; blocks of multiple storey buildings. This is how Rome should have looked like when poets and writers called her the “Golden City” (Aurea Roma). By the end of this module you will able to: - discuss major changes occurred during Early Imperial period in Rome - define and identify a certain number of Roman monuments and/or places - identify Early Imperial artifacts, decorations and building techniques

The Golden City and her decline (3rd – 6th century c.e.)

The embellishment of the city went on for a little further. At the beginning of the 4th century, Constantine the Great, first Christian Emperor, restored the imperial palace on the Palatine and also offered in different parts of the city monumental churches to the “new” God of the “new” Faith. The “Golden Rome”, even if wounded and besieged by the so-called “Barbarian People” pressing from East Europe and Middle East, still preserved her splendor. 476 A.D.: The German King Odoacre dethrones the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus. 535 A.D.: Justinianus Emperor of Byzantium – once the capital of the eastern part of the Roman Empire - send a fleet and an army to Italy in order to “free Rome from the Barbarians”. 552 A.D.: 27 years later. War is over at last and the generals sent by Justinianus conquer Rome. But less than one thousand people lived in the urban area. Small churches, huts, small herb and vegetables gardens, tombs were scattered here and there in the vast area of the nearly empty city, between the skeletons of the ancient ruined buildings. By the end of this module you will able to: - discuss major changes occurred during Middle and Late Imperial period in Rome - define and identify a certain number of Roman monuments and/or places - identify Middle and Late Imperial artifacts, decorations and building techniques.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines ancient cities using archeological evidence to reconstruct urban landscapes

Presents research on the Palatine Hill, providing new insights into Roman urban development

Interactive and multi-modal learning experience with videos, readings, discussions, labs, and hands-on materials

Taught by Paolo Carafa, an archaeologist of Roman urbanism at Sapienza University of Rome

Suitable for history enthusiasts and scholars seeking a deeper understanding of ancient cities and Roman archaeology

Requires students to have some background knowledge in archaeology, ancient history, or classical studies

Reviews summary

Palatine hill's <span>archaeological</span> and <span>historical</span> significance

Learners say this course offers a terrific experience delving into Ancient Rome and the Palatine Hill. Engaging assignments and excellent lectures entice learners with in-depth looks at archaeology and history. Learners appreciate well-structured lessons bringing maps, schemas, and diagrams to life and lament that some visuals are not easy to read on screen. While some find the quizzes difficult and feel the English translations need improvement, overall, students find this course useful as a general introduction to the Palatine Hill.

Learners find the quizzes to be engaging and challenging, but also note that in some cases, the answers can only be found by carefully studying the background images instead of through direct instruction.

"The questions on the quizzes seem not taken from the instruction. You cannot find them even from the transcripts."

"Its incredible how one hill can be a microcosm for the Roman Empire. I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Carafa's course, and appreciated the careful explanations and detail he offered on the material. The course material was fascinating."

"An in-depth introduction in the history of the Palatine hill and archaeology of Ancient Rome. "

The lessons are well-structured and include excellent lectures, maps, diagrams, and assignments.

"Well-structured and delivered "

"Wonderful course; if you approach it with enthusiasm and curiosity there is a lot to take from it. "

"The lessons were well-balanced with history, archeology and city planning. The presentation was easy to follow with ell appointed maps."

Learners highly praise the professor, describing him as excellent and knowledgeable.

"Excellent course, excellent professor!"

"The Professor was outstanding--he was very engaging, very in depth explaining and was well versed....He really made the class much more outstanding."

"Wonderful Professor, it was really easy to understand the context of this course due to the well-organized information and slide-show. Highly recommended."

Learners find the diagrams and maps difficult to read on screen due to their small size and lack of clear directional indicators.

"Maps are important for this course, but they are NOWHERE to be found"

"not an easy course, the maps presented in the course are not very clear and far to small to be seen on the screen."

"The maps could be presented in a collection of pdf documents as they are far too detailed to grasp in the quick presentations in the course."

Some learners express the sentiment that the quizzes are difficult, citing English translation issues and the need to thoroughly study either maps or transcripts to answer questions correctly.

"The quizzes don't always relate to, or are answered by the videos in the right section"

"Questions don't always relate to what is discussed and translation differences are a big issue"

"Thank you very much for your course Sir Paolo Carafa. "

Learners cite frequent English translation issues and mistakes in the transcripts that can make comprehension difficult.

"I was excited to take this course, eager to hear Prof. Carafa. However all of his knowledge, all of the work that went into creating this valuable course, was degraded by the very bad English text and subtitles. So many mistakes! 100+"

"The content is great, but the teaching (language, material, quizzes) are CHAOTIC. Maps are important for this course, but they are NOWHERE to be found. Quizzes are problematic, often pointing to either wrong answers (contradicting to the videos) or minute details that weren't mentioned at all. The language is confusing as well, as the lecturer did not provide description of the slides and maps, therefore the transcripts are no help at all."

"I think the structure could have been "tighter". Also, the questions in the quizzes were sometimes based on information that was only available in the presentation diagrams, but those images were often a bit fuzzy and hard to read."

Career center

Learners who complete The Changing Landscape of Ancient Rome. Archaeology and History of the Palatine Hill will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Archaeologist

Archaeologists study past human cultures by excavating and examining material remains such as artifacts, buildings, and monuments. This course would be highly beneficial for archaeologists, as it focuses on the archaeology and history of the Palatine Hill in Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge would be invaluable for archaeologists working in Rome or on Roman history.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course would be highly beneficial for professors who teach ancient Roman history or archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome through the lens of archaeology and historical analysis. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for professors who are teaching about ancient Rome or Roman history.

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Historian

Historians study the past by examining written records, artifacts, and other sources. This course would be highly beneficial for historians who specialize in ancient Rome, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome through the lens of archaeology and historical analysis. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for historians who are working on Roman history.

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Architectural Historian

Architectural historians study the history of architecture and the ways in which buildings and other structures have been designed, constructed, and used. This course would be highly beneficial for architectural historians, as it focuses on the history and development of architecture in ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge would be invaluable for architectural historians working in Rome or on Roman history.

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Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research in a variety of fields, including archaeology, history, and other social sciences. This course would be highly beneficial for research scientists who specialize in ancient Rome, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome through the lens of archaeology and historical analysis. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for research scientists who are working on projects related to ancient Rome or Roman history.

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Epigrapher

Epigraphers study inscriptions, which are written records carved into stone, metal, or other durable materials. This course would be highly beneficial for epigraphers who specialize in ancient Rome, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome through the lens of archaeology and historical analysis. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for epigraphers who are working on inscriptions from Rome or on Roman history.

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Tour Guide

Tour guides lead tours of historical sites and other attractions. This course would be highly beneficial for tour guides who specialize in ancient Rome, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome through the lens of archaeology and historical analysis. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for tour guides who are leading tours of Roman ruins or historical sites.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans and cultures. This course can be particularly helpful for anthropologists who specialize in archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome through the lens of archaeology and historical analysis. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for anthropologists who are interested in understanding the development of human societies and cultures.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop plans for the use of land and the development of communities. This course may be helpful for urban planners who specialize in historic preservation or urban design, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for urban planners who are working on projects related to ancient Rome or Roman history.

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Educator

Educators who teach history or archaeology may find this course helpful, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the history and archaeology of the Palatine Hill in Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for educators who are teaching about ancient Rome or Roman history.

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Curator

Curators are responsible for the care and management of museum collections. This course may be helpful for curators who specialize in ancient Roman history or archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for curators who are responsible for managing collections of Roman artifacts.

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Museum Registrar

Museum registrars manage and organize collections of artifacts and other objects. This course may be helpful for museum registrars who specialize in ancient Roman history or archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for museum registrars who are responsible for managing collections of Roman artifacts.

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Museum Director

Museum directors are responsible for the overall management and operation of museums. This course may be helpful for museum directors who specialize in ancient Roman history or archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for museum directors who are responsible for managing collections of Roman artifacts.

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Library Scientist

Library scientists manage and organize libraries and information centers. This course may be helpful for library scientists who specialize in ancient Roman history or archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for library scientists who are responsible for managing collections of Roman artifacts or books on Roman history.

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Writer

Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and scripts. This course may be helpful for writers who specialize in ancient Roman history or archaeology, as it provides a deep understanding of the history and development of ancient Rome. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of Rome to its rise as an empire, and the decline of the Roman Empire. This knowledge can be valuable for writers who are working on projects related to ancient Rome or Roman history.

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