"In this course, we will explore Mesopotamian societies from the Neolithic era (c. 9,000 B.C.) to the defeat of the great Persian Empire at Gaugamela by Alexander the Great (331 B.C.) The study will take us from the world of international diplomacy with powerful neighbors in Egypt, Syria, and Anatolia to the mundane issues of daily life, such as providing food for the family, curing disease, and settling legal disputes. It examines archaeological...

Thirty-six lectures on the visual nature of ancient Rome and how it was able to so successfully communicate its civic and cultural values, or project a knowledge of Roman power, to every corner of the realm. Learn how Rome communicated in visually symbolic ways, gain insight into how similar tools are used today, and hone your ability to see them at work in the visual symbols that are part of government, the military, religion, and just about every...