Join anthropologist and classical archaeologist David Soren for an overview of ancient Rome. Moving from the Early Iron Age to the so-called fall of the Roman Empire, the course will also look at the mysterious people known as the Etruscans. It will delve into Republican Rome’s development into an international powerhouse, drawing cultural inspiration from the ancient Greeks. The rise of Imperial Rome features propaganda-master Octavian, conqueror of Antony and Cleopatra, and heir to Julius Caesar. Finally, the class looks at the latest evidence about the “end” of Rome, highlighting Dr. Soren’s research with the University of Arizona Tree-Ring Laboratory and Yale University regarding the spread of malaria. Dr. Soren’s new textbook and videos on Roman archaeology will be used for the first time.
