This course examines the reign of Rome's first emperor Augustus, the transformation of Republic into Empire. Visual arts and literature flourished intensely, as Rome recovered from the trauma of the last Civil Wars. Radical innovations in social, political and religious structures, in the name of restoring the Republic, both constrained traditional liberty, and spread it in new forms. Authors, artists, architects were indispensable to the new court's work to legitimate power by cultural excellence, as they reshaped Rome as a model for what a city of the empire should be. The course's topics will explore intersections like these of culture, politics and historical events in Augustus' `Golden Age'.

This is an Art History Site Seminar: the class will be brought to Rome for ca. one week. Dates: Fall Break is Sat.-Tues. Oct. 11th-14th. Departure and return will use Break weekend and the one after. Have a valid passport ready.

Permission of the instructor is needed to enroll in the course. Please write Prof. Kuttner with full information about your background in ancient/historical/art historical studies, and your reasons for taking the course.