HIS 410 The Life and Death of Pompeii

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E. preserved the Italian town of Pompeii for all time. Filled with temples, public baths, theaters, an amphitheater, taverns and brothels, lavish residences and modest dwellings, Pompeii provides unparalleled evidence for daily life in the Roman empire. Drawing upon the archaeological evidence, this course investigates the structure and rituals of the Roman home; social and political institutions; urban planning, with comparisons to Herculaneum and Ostia; and the expression of non-elite identities. We also consider Pompeii’s afterlife since its rediscovery in the eighteenth century  and its current presence in popular culture through novels and film.

Credits

3

Cross Listed Courses

Cross-listed as CLA 346.