Imperial Rome and Ostia - for iPad/Mac/PC: Recent Episodes
The Open University
The splendidly evocative ruins of ancient Rome have long been a challenge to historians and archaeologists in reconstructing how it looked and functioned. It became the largest city in the western world during the imperial period, so how was the city constructed, and what were the materials used? How was it defended, supplied with food and water, and how were the people housed and entertained, and above all, how did it function? These video tracks use various famous sites such as the Baths of Caracalla and the Pantheon to answer some of these questions. This material forms part of the course AT308 Cities and technology: from Babylon to Singapore.
A large scale model shows us how Imperial Rome once looked and we also learn some of its fascinating history.
Transcript -- A large scale model shows us how Imperial Rome once looked and we also learn some of its fascinating history.
Transcript -- A look at how aqueducts were a great engineering achievement in Imperial Rome.
The renewed threat of barbarian invasion led to the construction of the Aurelianic wall - the second fortification in the history of Imperial Rome.
Transcript -- The renewed threat of barbarian invasion led to the construction of the Aurelianic wall - the second fortification in the history of Imperial Rome.
This track looks at how grain - a staple part of the Roman diet - was shipped in to feed the Roman's and where the grain was stored.
Transcript -- This track looks at how grain - a staple part of the Roman diet - was shipped in to feed the Roman's and where the grain was stored.
Ostia became one of the largest provincial cities of the Roman Empire and here we look at how built-up the ancient settlement was, and the importance of river trade.
Transcript -- Ostia became one of the largest provincial cities of the Roman Empire and here we look at how built-up the ancient settlement was, and the importance of river trade.
Transcript -- An insight in to where and how the Romans stored their food and other supplies.
Insulae were apartment buildings used to house the Romans. This video looks at the construction of these buildings, paying particular attention to the materials used.
Transcript -- Insulae were apartment buildings used to house the Romans. This video looks at the construction of these buildings, paying particular attention to the materials used.
Fulleries and bakeries played a prominent part in everyday Roman life. This video explains how.
Transcript -- Fulleries and bakeries played a prominent part in everyday Roman life. This video explains how.
The Romans have always been renowned for their famous baths. This video focuses on the engineering and technologies behind them.
Transcript -- The Romans have always been renowned for their famous baths. This video focuses on the engineering and technologies behind them.
This video explores several monumental buildings in Imperial Rome, notably, the Imperial palaces of Rome.
Transcript -- This video explores several monumental buildings in Imperial Rome, notably, the Imperial palaces of Rome.
Transcript -- A comprehensive look at the history and construction of the lavish Pantheon Temple.
Roman baths acted as urban social spaces, like the leisure centres of modern world. This video track explains the routine a Roman might go through upon visiting the baths.
Transcript -- Roman baths acted as urban social spaces, like the leisure centres of modern world. This video track explains the routine a Roman might go through upon visiting the baths.
This video concludes how the Romans were excellent developers of technology, but not necessarily very inventive.
Transcript -- This video concludes how the Romans were excellent developers of technology, but not necessarily very inventive.