WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
1. Modern interpretations of Augustus and friends. (Due in class Sept. 25) Find a contemporary (20-21st century) media source—a movie, TV show, website, advertising campaign, etc.—that portrays Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Cleopatra, and/or Octavian/Augustus in their ancient environment (this can be Rome or another part of the ancient world). Describe and discuss the physical components of that environment. What do their clothes look like? What does the world around them look like? Do you recognize any real monuments? Are there buildings, statues, or other objects that look Roman to you (even if they are not necessarily identifiable)? If so, why do you think so? Are there things that look out of place? Why? Examine how Caesar and the gang are portrayed as people. Are they depicted as “good” or “bad”? Virtuous? Noble? Conniving? Greedy? What characteristics are used to convey these ideas?
Additional, optional question: See if you can find a contemporary media source that is set in the modern world, but refers to (or represents) Julius Caesar and/or the others mentioned above. Discuss the nature and context of this reference and why or how it was used (i.e. to compare a modern person or character favorably with Caesar or others, to serve as a warning, etc.).
This assignment should result in approximately 1200-2000 words of writing. Please also provide links and/or other citations of your media sources to share with the class.
2. Word, Image, Object. (Due in class Nov. 6)
Download PDF with details about this assignment: 
ARCH1100 Assignment2 DETAILS.pdf
Some of the literary sources can be downloaded below:
Secondary images:
2 CuriaJulia.jpg
2b CuriaJuliaVictory.jpg
2c CuriaJuliaClipVirt.jpg
3 AraPacis.jpg
4a ParthArch.jpg
4b ParthArch.jpg3. Augustus and the Others. (NEW DUE DATE: IN CLASS DEC. 2) Long before Augustus became Augustus and long after, the influence of Rome was felt from modern-day England to North Africa to the Middle East. In this assignment you will look at archaeological evidence relating to those whom the Romans would have thought of as “others” (residents of distant provinces, Jews, Christians, foreigners like the Parthians, etc.). Examine a piece of the archaeological record that illustrates the reception, interpretation, adoption, adaptation, or rejection of Roman culture by non-Romans or Roman representation of others in their world.
You may, alternatively, choose to examine material from a period after the death of Augustus that reflects either the legacy of Augustus in the later Roman world and beyond. Some examples/options are offered below, but you are welcome to seek out your own. If you do choose your own example, you must discuss it with me during the week of Nov. 18. Everyone is encouraged to discuss their topic with me, so I can help you with resources, etc...
This assignment should result in approximately approximately 1200-2000 words of writing. Please be prepared to discuss your work in class.
SOME IDEAS. These are broad (some more than others) -- you will need to narrow your topic to answer specific questions, look at a small number of objects, buildings, etc.
- Augustan Egypt -- Look at Augustan additions and images on Egyptian temples (see Philae, Kalabsha, others), post-Antony Alexandria, etc.
- Herod the Great and/or Roman Palestine -- Buildings/cities, such as Caesarea Maritima, the Temple and other structures in Jerusalem; there is also coinage, literary evidence of Herod's relationship with Rome; evidence for Jewish life in Roman empire (see Josephus, for instance); Masada.
- Palmyra -- The main period for Palmyra is 3rdc, but could look at the Temple of Ba'al (and review its earlier history) and Palmyrene portaiture, with specific comparisons to Augustan material, and using literary sources, etc.
- Constantine -- Emperor in 4thc. AD who reunified the empire under his sole rule. Look at his self-representation that referred to Augustus and other parallels between the two. There's an article that discusses this to get started: PDF
- Africans in the Roman world -- Look at images and references to Black Africans in Roman art, literature; what they look like, in what contexts they appear, what they tell us. There is an archive of images called "Images of the Black in Western Art" that was created at Harvard and is available on ArtSTOR (accessible through Brown libraries).
- Shapur I -- Sassanian ruler who defeated later Roman emperors (3rdc. AD) and commemorated defeat in rock-cut reliefs near Persepolis, in modern Iran. There is also a cameo representing same. Look at imagery of Shapur I in comparison with Augustan images of his victories over foreigners (i.e. Gemma Augustea, Boscoreale cups, etc).
- Germanic Regions-- not so much from the Augustan period, but if you are feeling adventurous, could discuss Roman Aachen and perhaps its later incarnation as the seat of the Holy Roman Empire (discuss with me, if you choose this!)
- Dura Europos -- A border city that was part of Hellenistic world, Parthian, Roman. Examine urban changes, how they related or didn't to the powers-that-were at a given time.
- Choose your own adventure. As always, I am happy to share what images I have, help you find sources, etc.
