Classical Archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome (The Great Courses, Classical Archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome)

This course spans approximately 2,000 years, 17th century B.C. to A.D. 400, and focuses on sites and discoveries falling within the "Classical" Millennium, from 8th century B.C. - the traditional date for the first Olympic Games and thew founding of Rome - to the reigns of Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius in A.D. 2nd century, when Greco-Roman civilization achieved its fullest integration and widest impact. Like Caesar's Gaul, the course is divided into three parts: the evolution of Classical archaeology from a pastime for collectors and antiquarians to a mature science: case studies of important of 12 important excavations; and an overview of Classical civilization from an archaeologist's perspective, with focus on the detailed reconstruction of ancient life made possible by archaeological discoveries.