CLAS 540B (01) - Environment, Technology and Ancient Society: Roman Houses, Domestic Space and Public Life

The Romans used the house as a communication technology for defining and expressing their identities in society and in the natural world. In this course, we examine literary and visual sources for Roman houses, apartments, villas, and palaces, and we compare and contrast the role of the house in the ancient world and in American society. We pay special attention to how domestic space shapes and is shaped by environment, politics, and culture.