Roman Architecture

This course discusses the power of Roman architecture in shaping politics, society, and culture. It is offered by Yale University through Coursera, an online education platform.

It describes Roman urbanism and several unique features of Roman architecture such as bathing units and aqueducts as they evolved over the course of human history. It discusses how adoption of opus caementicium (concrete) brought about a revolution in Roman architecture. This course focusses on the history and evolution of Roman architecture to travel enthusiasts through discussions on early roman interior decorations, Trajan’s monumental architecture, and "bigger is better" philosophy.

Some of the main topics covered in the course are:

• Nero and his architectural legacy
• The Colosseum
• Trajan’s monumental architecture in Rome
• Tour of Ostia
• The Basilica Nova in Rome