Rome in Egypt: The Archaeology of an Oasis City

This seminar will focus on the results of the archaeological fieldwork carried out at Trimithis / Amheida, a Graeco-Roman city in Egypt's Western Desert. It will investigate the available documentary and archaeological evidence, including a wealthy house with paintings inspired by Classical themes, a public bath built in the Roman tradition, a rhetorical schoolroom, pyramid-shaped Roman tombs, remains of a temple, and one of the earliest churches discovered in Egypt so far. We will explore how this evidence compares with that from neighboring sites in Egypt's Western Desert as well as in the Nile Valley. The goal is to develop an appreciation and understanding of Romano-Egyptian architecture, Classical and late antique art in Egypt, and Egypt's religious, social, and cultural history. Students will also have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with notions of archaeological methods and practice, as adopted in the context of an Egyptian excavation project. Prerequisites: One course at the 100- or 200-level in Art History, Classics, or Archaeology recommended
Course Attributes: FA AH; BU IS; AS HUM; FA HUM; AR HUM; EN H; AH AM

Rome in Egypt: The Archaeology of an Oasis City

ART HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY 4235

Section 01