Key facts

Type	Weekly Classes
Location	Reading
Address	Room G06 Building 22 London Road Campus Reading
Dates	Thu 17 Jan to Thu 21 Mar 2013 Day: Thursday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10
Subject area(s)	Archaeology
CATS points	10
Fees	From £145.00
Application status	Course ended
Course code	R12P485AHW
Course contact	If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Overview

Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete example of a Roman city to have survived. This course will introduce you to Pompeii and explore what life was like in a first century AD Roman town.

Description

Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete example of a Roman city to have survived. This course will introduce you to Pompeii and explore what life was like in a first century AD Roman town. You will begin by examining the destruction of Pompeii before considering how the city has been excavated since its rediscovery in 1748. You will be able to explore the layout of the city, starting with the key public buildings and spaces, and assess what these structures can tell us about public life in Pompeii. You will then be able to examine the numerous houses in Pompeii, and give thought to the significance of these dwellings for our understanding of private life. At all times you will be able to consider how the evidence from Pompeii is being interpreted in light of modern theories.

Programme details

Week 1: Destruction and Recovery
Week 2: History and Development
Week 3: The Townscape
Week 4: The Forum
Week 5: The Ritual Townscape: temples and cemeteries
Week 6: "Leisure": baths, theatres and amphitheatre
Week 7: Domestic Architecture: houses and identity
Week 8: Wall-painting
Week 9: Production and Consumption
Week 10: Pompeii and Roman Urbanism


Background Reading:
M. Beard, Pompeii: the life of a Roman town
J. Dobbins and P. Foss, The World of Pompeii
R. Laurence, Pompeii: space and society
A. Wallace-Hadrill, Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum
P. Zanker, Pompeii: public and private life

Staff

Course aims

Course Aim:
This course aims to introduce students to selected aspects of the archaeology of the Roman town of Pompeii, from its sixth century BC origins to its destruction by Vesuvius in AD 79.

Course Objectives:
1. recognise key areas and buildings of the Roman town of Pompeii
2. compare and contrast different aspects of Roman urban life
3. critically evaluate material evidence from Pompeii

Assessment methods

Option A. Interpretation of three images of archaeological artefacts from Pompeii (c.330-350 words per object)
Option B. A 1000 word written assignment on any aspect of the archaeology of Pompeii (subject to tutor's approval)

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include a combination of informal lecture, small group exercises and discussion, with the opportunity for students to ask questions. Lectures are supported with visual aids and handouts.

Teaching outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. recognise the form and function of key areas of the Roman town of Pompeii
2. evaluate the significance of specific aspects of Roman urban life
3. assess the nature and character of Pompeii through critical examination of its standing remains and material culture

Fee options

Programme Fee

EU Fee: £145.00

Non-EU Fee: £145.00

Apply for this course