TITLE: Classical Archaeology: main issues and themes

The course is organised into three main modules looking at the main issues either in History of Art and Archaeology, through a theoretical approach integrated to practical researches, visits and studies involving directly the students.
MODULE 1- Greek and Roman Architecture
Specific topics: the Architecture from the wooden structures to the use of the stone; development of the main architectonic styles; evolution of the temple; from the house to the palace: private architecture; evolution of the mosaic: from Gordion to Roman times; the ancient painting between decoration, themes and transmission of models. Practical work: example of how to catalogue an architectonic element.
MODULE 2 – Statuary and Scculpture and the reconstruction of iconographic skemata.
Specific topics: the evolution of the ancient statuary, its materials and the main techniques; issues and information about ancient quarrying of marble and stones; the colour of the ancient statues; practical example of reconstruction and analysis of iconographic skemata, prototypes and variations. Practical work: catalogue of a statue and study of the prototype.
MODULE 3 – Nostoi thoughout archaeological sites.
Some archaeological site will be studied and analyzed closely in order to touch specific themes in a more direct way: Pompei (discovery, evolution of the urban plan, mosaics and paintings); Cyrene (extra-urban sanctuaries and monumental rock-cut necropolis); Cyprus (main classical sites and their insular peculiarity); Epidamnos-Dyrrachion (from the Greek foundation to te late Roman period); Atene and Rome (two capitals in parallel); Tebe and Alexandra and the Greco-Roman Egypt.
Practical work by the students: analysis and presentation of a site.