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Academic Year 2003/2004

All Roads Lead to Rome: Trade, Travel and Transport in the Roman World
CCIV 235 SP

The movement of goods and people is an important aspect of any culture or civilization. In this course we will examine how this was accomplished in the Roman world of the late Republic and Empire and what the overall social significance of these activities was. We will be concerned with a number of important questions. How did people get around in the world of the Roman empire? How did they keep from getting lost? What were the dangers encountered by ancient travelers on land and sea? What sorts of people were involved in commercial activities? How was this commerce organized? Were there ancient tourists and, if so, where did they go and why? Following an initial survey of the Roman trade and transport in the Roman world, including an analysis of basic forms of transport infrastructure and the Roman economy, students will examine a variety of topics on Roman travel and commerce. We will be concerned with both the historical development of these two activities and regional differences in them encountered across a large, multi-ethnic empire. Topics will include Roman roadways, ports, geography and the environment, shipbuilding and navigation, commercial organization, transport technology, hotels, tourist sites, itineraries, contact and trade with people beyond the boundaries of the Roman world and travelogues. The course is intended for students from a variety of disciplines.

MAJOR READINGS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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