Birgitta Hoffmann
An exploration of the Roman idea of living in the countryside in the Eastern Empire
Romans saw themselves as a nation of farmers, who had suddenly got rich. Senators were assessed on their landholdings, and in the republic their involvement in trade was very much regulated.
Consequently, their houses in the country were frequently a combination of an economic unit producing surplus that could be sold at market as well as the residence (for at least part of the year) of the owner, who may or may not also be living in the town and be involved in government.
These ideas travelled with the Romans when their empire expanded and in the provinces were adapted to serve local traditions and climate requirements. This course is designed to explore the different aspects of Roman life in the country and how it changed over time. Each lecture is designed to stand on its own, but also to create a larger narrative over the course of the year.
In Part 2 we will focus on villa sites in the Easter Empire and Africa covering both the early and late Empire.
11th January The Roman Villa at Balácapuszta and the villas in the Kis-Alfoeld
18th January The Villa of Armira at Ivaylovgrad in Bulgaria
25th January The Villa of Herodes Atticus at Eua/Greece
1st February Serjilla and the Rural settlement in Syria and Anatolia
8th February. Rural Settlement in Judaea
15th February Half-term
22nd February The Roman villa at Silin and the villas of North Africa
29th February Apuleius’ Golden Ass and his account of living on rural villas
7th March Izola and the Coastal villas in Slovenia and northern Croatia
14th March Late Roman Villas in Danube Region
21st March The Imperial villa as fort: Sarkamen, Romuliana and Split
Please note all lectures will be recorded and distributed to the participants at the beginning of the next week. This should allow participants from different time zones, or those working catching up with the lectures.
Day: Thursdays: Time: 19.00-21.00 pm GMT/BMT
10 weeks, starting 11th January 2024 to 21st March 2024 with one week break on 15th February 2024
Virtual Learning Environment: Zoom (The lectures are recorded)
Single lecture:
| Price | Early Bird | Minimum No. | Maximum No. |
| £12 | 8 | 50 |
Bookings for the whole course:
| Price | Early Bird | Minimum No. | Maximum No. |
| £120 | 8 | 50 |
To book, please use the attached order form or the Eventbrite link. (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-roman-villa-the-eastern-empire-and-north-africa-tickets-776942876057?aff=oddtdtcreator) for the series or https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/785226753357?aff=oddtdtcreator for individual lectures. You can also contact Birgitta Hoffmann for the BACS details or a PayPal invoice.
Contact:
Birgitta Hoffmann
55 Broadwalk, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5PL
email: latinteacher@btinternet.com mobile: 07377 791562