Introductory description

This module explores aspects of Roman daily civic life in the imperial period before late antiquity. The focus of the module will be on the evidence and experience of Rome and Ostia. The module explores how we write the history of daily life and ‘history from below’, utilising material culture, texts and frameworks developed within history, sociology and other disciplines. By studying the rhythms of Roman daily life, the module explores the ideas, social relationships and interactions that constituted and reproduced Roman society.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Each topic below covered by a one hour interactive lecture.
Week 1:
-Writing the everyday and history from below

• Childhood
  Week 2:
• Work and identity
• Collegia, social life and commensality
  Week 3:
• Tokens
• Gems, Glass Pastes and Seals
  Seminar: The imagery of Roman pottery
  Week 4:
• The Roman Calendar
• Shopping
  Week 5:
• Festivals: The Saturnalia
• Festivals: The Compitalia
  Week 6: Reading Week (a workshop on Roman ceramics envisaged for one day this week, dependent on securing funding)
  Week 7:
• Spectacle: Performance
• Spectacle: Audience
  Week 8:
• Clothing and ‘fashion’
• Gestures and body language
  Week 9:
• Roman Bathing
• Insulae
  Week 10:
• Writing and literacy
• Magazine article assignment workshop

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• - an improved knowledge of the material and texts associated with Roman daily life and social life in Rome and Ostia
• - appreciation of the issues and approaches surrounding the creation of ‘everyday’ history and history from below
• - increased ability to analyse and critically comment on modern scholarship
• - ability to communicate research in different registers, both to an academic and public audience
• - increased skills in close analysis of ancient materials
• - enhanced research skills
• - improved ability to develop original research ideas and perspectives
• - an improved ability to put forward ideas in a written format with sophistication

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Students will be given an essay on particular topics that they will need to research - they will be encouraged to follow their interests and develop their own ideas based off their research.

Interdisciplinary

A topic of this nature requires the use and discussion of interdisciplinary frameworks (from modern history, sociology, etc) as part of the discussion as to how we write this type of history. Different frameworks from a variety of disciplines will be discussed throughout the module (e.g. de Certeau, The Practice of Everyday Life) to enable students to think about how we make the most of the material that remains to us.

Subject specific skills

• an improved knowledge of the material and texts associated with Roman daily life and social life in Rome and Ostia
• increased skills in close analysis of ancient materials
• increased awareness of different types of imagery from antiquity

Transferable skills

• appreciation of the issues and approaches surrounding the creation of ‘everyday’ history and history from below
• increased ability to analyse and critically comment on written modern texts
• increased ability to communicate research in different written registers, both to an academic and public audience
• improved analytical skills
• enhanced research skills