HIST 44.02 Arts of Power, from Augustus to the Sun King

This course explores the political systems and ideologies of the West through art, architecture, ceremony, patronage, and representation.  Political systems and ideologies always find their form in visual and ceremonial representation as mechanisms of the legitimization of power.   This course will follow the Western tradition, starting with the formation of the Roman Empire under Augustus Caesar and ending with the rise of Absolutism under Louis XIV and the building of the palace of Versailles.  It will explore the development of political and religious institutions through the representation of their ideologies.  The course will be structured according to the following units: Empire, Monarchy, The church and the papacy, the Italian Republics and City States, Reform, Absolutism and Divine Kingship.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC; WCult:W

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Class of 2023 and Before Major Dist: EUR, pre-1700/pre-1800; Class of 2024 and Beyond Major Dist: EUR, premodern.