Object Study of Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome.

Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome.

In a basic object study you examine the shape/size, find spot, and context of an object/structure and seeks to understand what it tells us about the Roman worldview. A successful critical object study includes a description of the object but must involve research and critical analysis of evidence beyond just observing the object itself. In these object studies, therefore, I am asking you to apply what you know about essay writing and develop an introduction with thesis statement/key argument that clearly states the point of the evaluation, paragraphs with arguments, and evidence in support of the thesis, followed by a conclusion. The point of an object study is to situate your object in its historical and archaeological context, which means providing sufficient background to the culture and explaining how the object fits into this or how it exemplifies a historical and/or archaeological development.

For buildings, be sure to comment on the architectural design and layout as well as the decoration. You should consider questions like, “Where was this structure located?” “In what ways does this structure participate in communicating imperial power?”; “Who paid for its construction?” and “What does this structure say about the wealth and social standing of the person who paid for its construction?

1. Provide a basic object description (roughly 1 page):
date or rough date of construction
location of the structure
type of structure and material used to construct it (some examples below – not an exhaustive list)
temple
home
basilica (etc.
2. Discuss the purpose or meaning of the structure (the core of your paper, around 2-3 pages):
We study material culture to gain an understanding of past cultures. Describe the purpose of your chosen structure in the society for which it was made and used. In other words, you are contextualizing this building. Each building in these studies is Roman. Ask ‘What was this used for?’ ‘Who visited here and why?’ Where was it placed and what was around it? (was it in the Forum, off in the country; on a major road or in the suburbs?) You will need to discuss the historical, cultural and/or archaeological significance of the structure with respect to the people who created, used, and/or viewed it. Ask yourself: What do buildings communicate, how, and why? Look in the learning materials for how buildings are discussed there.
3. State of current scholarship and relevance to current scholarship/study (concluding paragraphs, around 1-2 pages):
What has been discovered in the current scholarship about the building so far? Try to highlight the most recent scholarship. Here, you will discuss what you feel is important about the building you have chosen, what story needs to be told about it and why. Note that many Roman structures were rebuilt over and over, especially if they held some important cultural or ideological purpose. Pay attention to that, and cover the major renovations but don’t let yourself get bogged down with details if there is too much. Think about what you can include that represents the main or most important points concerning the different phases of that structure.

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