Ancient Cities: From the Origins Through Late Antiquity

This seminar explores major cities of the ancient Near East (Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and the Levant), Egypt, Greece, and Italy from the origins through late antiquity. The primary focus will be on the physical appearance and overall plans of the cities, their natural and man-made components, their domestic and private as well as their religious and secular spaces. Objects and artifacts of daily life, including pottery, sculpture, wall paintings, mosaics, and various small finds will be evaluated to establish a more nuanced understanding of the different architectural and urban contexts.