Volume 3: Roman Emperors: Trajan and Hadrian with Dr. Dimo Kosmopoulos
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This mini webinar series is dedicated to the emperors of Rome, tracing their history over hundreds of years. From Augustus to the Flavian Dynasty to the Hispanic Dynasty, this is volume three. Please note, you do not have to have attended previous volumes to join this conversation.
In the year 98 AD a general of Hispanic (modern Spain) origin rose to power. His name was Marcus Ulpius Traianus, the Optimus Princeps ("best ruler") and he started a thriving period of Roman History.
Trajan, one of the five good emperors, led the Empire towards the maximum expansion that was ever reached. He was not only a soldier but a man with a great architectural vision. This impact can still today be seen in Rome: markets, baths, monumental squares, built to enrich a city that was reaching 1 million inhabitants.
His successor Publius Aelius Hadrianus continued on the same path. Hadrian was the graeculus, "little Greek", who brought the Roman Empire to its peak. Under his rule, one of the biggest temples ever built was erected next to the Colosseum and Hadrian was heavily involved in the rebuilding project of the Pantheon, a unique masterpiece of architecture, which still stands today as one of the most visited Roman sites.
Together, we will learn about the history and investigate the politics of these Emperors through history, archaeology, and ancient architecture, exploring one of the most fascinating moments in Roman imperial history. Led by Dr. Dimosthenis Kosmopoulos, classical archaeologist, this interactive seminar will focus on what was arguably the peak of the Roman Empire under Trajan and Hadrian. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with increased knowledge of the Hispanic dynasty that left permanent traces in the city.
This conversation is the third in a four-part series. Each seminar can be joined independently and in any order.
During his university studies at "La Sapienza" in Rome, Dimosthenis participated in several national and international projects, such as the study of Latin epigraphy and Roman pottery as well as various archaeological excavations in different areas of Rome (Roman Forum, Palatine, Mausoleum of Augustus). His work as an archaeologist brought him to carry out research in classical art and architecture, exploring, in particular, the relationship between iconography and architecture as ancient Greek and Roman artistic expressions. Dimosthenis completed his Ph.D. with a thesis on temple architecture in the Italian peninsula during the Republican period. This topic became his area of expertise. His knowledge of archaeology, ancient art history, and Roman architecture is the key that he uses to share his unique perspective on the Eternal City.
This conversation is suitable for all ages
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
As, always, Dimo brings the perspective of a practicing archeologist to his historical review, grounding his exposition in the physical evidence and ongoing excavations. This brings the listener simultaneously back into the historical era and into the evolving present-day understanding of the past.
Good information, Dr. Kosmopoulos held my attention throughout the lecture. He did good service to his namesake with his eloquence.
This is the 3rd (of 3 so far) courses on Roman Emperors. It goes well beyond biography or military history, and ventures into the buildings in the Roman Forum and the daily life of Romans in this period. Very engaging and entertaining.