Undergraduate Course: Art and Archaeology of the Roman Near East and Egypt (CACA10038)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to introduce students to the material culture of the Roman Near East and Egypt and to develop their understanding of the interaction between eastern and western cultural forces in classical antiquity. Through detailed studies of the painting, sculpture, mosaics, coinage and architecture of key cities, such as Alexandria, Jerusalem and Petra, it will be demonstrated how varied was the reception of classical culture by the pre-existing local societies and their religions. |
| Course description |
This course aims to introduce students to the material culture of the Roman Near East and Egypt and to develop their understanding of the interaction between eastern and western cultural forces in classical antiquity. More specifically, through detailed studies of the painting, sculpture, mosaics, coinage and architecture of key cities, such as Alexandria, Jerusalem and Petra, it will be demonstrated how varied was the reception of classical culture by the pre-existing local societies and their religions. Despite the adoption of aspects of Greek and Roman art, local cultural identities remain distinctive in their unique blending of local and classical elements. The sophistication evident in the use of these classical elements to create new versions of art will be highlighted, as well as the interaction between art, politics and religion. Particular focus will be placed upon the transition to Roman rule and the underlying Hellenistic continuity. Also, the rise of Christianity and its influence on Jewish art will be examined to understand how religious identities were expressed through art. This artistic expression, with enduring Greco-Roman influences, survives into the early Islamic period (c. 700 AD) in the design of famed monuments, such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The comprehension of the cultural interaction of this region is particularly relevant to increasing understanding between the West and the Middle East today.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 3 courses in Classics, History or Archaeology (at least 1 of which should be in Classical Art and Archaeology) at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level
courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate, in class discussion, coursework and examination as required, a sound knowledge of a wide range of archaeological material from the Roman Near East and Egypt
- demonstrate, in class discussion, coursework and examination as required, an ability to recognise and comment on how art and architecture are used in the formation of cultural identities
- demonstrate, in class discussion, coursework and examination as required, an ability to assess the validity or usefulness of a range of viewpoints and critical approaches
- demonstrate, in class discussion, coursework and examination as required, enhanced skills in analysing different types of primary evidence
- demonstrate, in class discussion, coursework and examination as required, an ability to express their opinions and construct logical arguments in oral and written form, by formulating appropriate questions and utilising relevant evidence considered in the course
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Reading List
Alcock, S. (ed.). 1997. The Early Roman Empire in the East. Oxford.
Alston, R., Lieu, S.N.C. and F. Millar. 2007. Aspects of the Roman East: Papers in Honour of Professor Fergus Millar. Turnhout.
Ball, W. 2000. Rome in the East. London and New York.
Binst, O., et al. 2000. The Levant: history and archaeology in the Eastern Mediterranean. Cologne.
Butcher, K. 2003. Roman Syria and the Near East. London.
Dodge, H. 1990. 'The Architectural Impact of Rome in the East,' in Architecture and Architectural Sculpture in the Roman Empire, ed. by M. Henig, 108-120. Oxford.
Eliav, Y. Z. et al. 2008. The Sculptural Environment of the Roman Near East. Leuven.
Gruen, E.S. (ed.). 2010. Cultural Identity in the Ancient Mediterranean. Los Angeles.
Millar, F. 1993. The Roman Near East 31 BC - AD 337. Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Negev, A. and S. Gibson, eds. 2001. Archaeological Encyclopaedia of the Holy Land. London and New York.
Sartre, M. 2005. The Middle East under Rome. Cambridge, Mass.; London.
Segal, A. 1997. From Function to Monument: urban landscapes of Roman Palestine, Syria and Provincia Arabia. Oxford. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Lucy Wadeson
Tel:
Email: Lucy.Wadeson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Claire Brown
Tel: (0131 6)50 3582
Email: cbrown20@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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