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The Archaeology of Roman Religion - ARC00138M

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Eva Mol
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module is meant for students who want to apply their skills to the fascinating topic of Roman religion. Religions and ritual practices were an intimate part of everyday life in the Roman past, and for this reason a challenging, but exciting subject. You will be engaged in current research on Roman religion, and add to it through your own expertise. The module will make use of diverse archaeological, visual, and epigraphic materials and will include fieldtrips.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

  • To introduce students to current archaeological debates about Roman religion and Roman religious practices

  • To explore a range of themes related to roman religion and the ways these can be approached using diverse archaeological methods

  • To learn to interpret, analyse, and contextualise material culture related to Roman religion and religious rituals

  • To develop research, analytical and presentation skills

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the diversity of Roman religions and religious practices throughout the Roman world

  • Examine primary data of different types, including those drawn from material culture, iconographic representations, and archaeological science

  • Able to present case studies,develop discussion topics and critically reflect on data related to specific themes

  • Evaluate critically upon a range of interpretations of archaeological and historical evidence

  • To design and develop original research-based essay topics

  • To create poster presentations and to pitch research

Module content

Most people have probably heard of Jupiter, the powerful god of the Roman state, or Isis, the Roman deity from Egypt, but did you know that the Romans also had a non-binary deity of mildew called Robigus/a? Or that enslaved Romans had the right to take refuge from their masters in temples at the statue of the divine emperor, and the master then had to sell them? There is still much to learn about religions and religious practices in the Roman world beyond the Greco-Roman religious ‘canon’. Archaeological approaches increasingly brought new and different understandings to the knowledge of Roman religion and during the module we will discuss the latest research and theories, and critically examine what we can add. We will analyse material culture ranging from sanctuaries, sacrificial offerings, altars, inscriptions, graves, to small magical amulets. The module is open for all students interested in Roman archaeology and religion and you will approach the subject from your own area of expertise, whether this is digital archaeology, heritage, museum studies, bioarchaeology, funerary, or historic archaeology.

The module consists of museum visits, seminars, and workshops. During the workshops you will work in small teams on one subject to gain a fuller idea on some aspects of Roman religion. The seminars are discussion-based in which students will present short case studies and others will act as respondents. A dynamic, interdisciplinary module in which you will develop your own small research project.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 90
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Poster presentation		 N/A 10

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 90
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Poster presentation		 N/A 10

Module feedback

Formative: oral feedback from module leaders

Summative: written feedback within the University's turnaround policy

Indicative reading

  • Jorg Rüpke, (ed.), A Companion to Roman Religion (Oxford 2007)

  • Adam Parker and Stuart Mckie, (eds.) 2018. Material Approaches to Roman Magic: Occult Objects and Supernatural Substances. Oxford. Oxbow Books.

  • John F. Miller, Jenny Strauss Clay, 2019. Tracking Hermes, Pursuing Mercury. Oxford. Oxford University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.