Rome the Cosmopolis. Migration and mobility in a transforming city from Augustus to Charlemagne

Over the past two decades the importance of mobility in understanding changes in culture, behaviour, and practices has been widely acknowledged in various scholarly disciplines. The awareness of its importance has led to new methods, innovative techniques, and different perspectives on our understanding of the way societies functioned. The city of Rome from the 1st to the 9th century CE forms an ideal testing ground to think about migration and mobility. Rome had many faces, but throughout its long history it was always a cosmopolis. While the symbolic appeal of the city remained strong, during the longue durée the cityscape underwent radical changes, transforming from a capital of a huge empire into the centre of western Christianity. It experienced significant changes in its topography and important places, and concomitant alterations in the identity of the inhabitants of the city, their practices, their material and visual culture. The aim of this interdisciplinary course offered by the Norwegian and Dutch institutes of Rome is to identify how migration and mobility manifest themselves in material, visual, and textual evidence. The course investigates how thinking about these phenomena have changed our understanding of the transformations of the urban fabric of Rome, and conversely how our understanding of the changes of the city informs our thinking about migration and mobility. The course is explicitly interdisciplinary, combining approaches of the fields of ancient and early medieval history, art history, and archaeology. The course starts with an online introductory day in which key concepts are discussed. In Rome, throughout a period of ten days, we will visit sites and museums and have lectures, seminars, and discussions.

Target group and admission

The course is open to max. 15 (R)MA and PhD students in Ancient and Medieval History, Classics, Art History, Archaeology, and related disciplines from KNIR and DNIR partner universities. In the Netherlands these are: University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Leiden University, Utrecht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen. In Norway these are: University of Oslo, University of Bergen, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the Arctic University of Norway, the University of Agder, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion, and Society, and the Oslo School of Architecture and Design.

Credits

The study load is the equivalent of 5 ECTS (140 hours), and can be expanded to 6 ECTS (168 hours), or 10 ECTS (240 hours). Dutch students should arrange with their university coordinator whether the course can be a part of their existing curriculum. After successful completion of the course, the KNIR provides a certificate mentioning study load and grade.

Costs

The course is free for students from KNIR and DNIR partner institutions. Most entry fees for museums and archaeological sites are waved for course participants. Apart from one joint dinner, meals and personal expenses are generally not included. For KNIR participants, travel expenses to and from Rome will be reimbursed up to € 100,- (or € 125,- in case you travel by train) upon a successful completion of this course. 

Facilities in Rome

All participants, both from Dutch and Norwegian Universities, will be housed at the Royal Netherlands Institute near Rome’s Villa Borghese Park. From there, it is only a short walk to the historical center of Rome. The KNIR accommodation consists of shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and includes a living and dining space, a large kitchen, washing machine and wireless internet. All residents have 24/7 access to the library and gardens of the Royal Netherlands Institute. The course will also be taught in part at the Norwegian Institute in Rome, located at Viale Trenta Aprile 33 on the Janiculum Hill, overlooking the city and with easy access to Trastevere and the city centre. Students enrolled will have access to the Norwegian Institute’s library and student facilities.

 Application and admission

The selection of participants is based on grades, the added value of the course in the student’s curriculum, a letter of motivation, and the composition of the group. Students can apply via the link below; include in your application:

• a letter of motivation (max. 1 A4)
• a cv
• a recent list of courses followed and grades provided by your university

We believe diversity enriches debate: different perspectives contribute to the quality of our work. We therefore value and highly encourage applications from students with diverse backgrounds and identities.

Interested students from Norwegian universities should contact both their local study administrator at their home university and the coordinator at the Norwegian Institute in Rome (Director Han Lamers) before applying for this course.

Deadline applications

10 July 2026

You will be notified about the outcome within two weeks after the deadline. Please note that the decision of the selection committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

More info

E-mail: secretary@knir.it
Phone: (+39)063269621

Additional information

Examination

The examination consists of three parts. The final grade is the weighted average of

• 10% Introductory essay
• 20% Oral presentation on site
• 70% Final paper

Work of Dutch RMA-students will be graded by the Dutch staff according to the Dutch grading system, work of Norwegian (R)MA-students by the Norwegian staff according to the Norwegian grading system. The work of PhD-students will not be graded but is subject to a pass - fail system.

Coordinator KNIR

Dr. L.E. Tacoma

Coordinator DNIR

Prof. Dr. H. Lamers

Teaching staff

Dr. M. Lešák, Dr. I. Selsvold; Dr. L.E. Tacoma

Language

English

Collaborating institution(s)

The Norwegian Institute in Rome

Work load