A look back at the course "Rome the Cosmopolis"

On Monday, 21 September a group of nine students arrived at KNIR to follow a new course Rome the Cosmopolis. In collaboration with the Norwegian Institute in Rome (DNIR), this course focuses on the concept of migration and mobility in the city of Rome from the 1st to the 9th century CE. Given how contemporary contexts guide our approaches to historical interpretation, it is incredibly interesting to apply the lens of mobility and migration given our current societal climate. The extensive history of Rome serves as a rich source of information for understanding how human movement has impacted and shaped past societies.

This course is made especially interesting thanks to the interdisciplinary approach taken to this complex topic. By looking at art historical elements at Early Christian churches, marvellous epigraphy at the Baths of Diocletian, and archaeological traces of movement throughout the city, we are truly offered a broad view of the past. These visits are supported by workshops where we debate and brainstorm how to properly assess and understand historical evidence that we find in Rome today. As the group consists of students of classics, (art) history, law, and social sciences, these discussions are made all the more fun.

Some notable visits have included walking through the dimly lit Early Christian burials in the Catacombs of Priscilla, staring at the rich mosaics in the Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano, and travelling to Ostia to track the ancient movement of trade into the city. The clear benefit of travelling through the city is also discovering what the modern cosmopolis has to offer. We enjoyed lunch at Mercato Testaccio, a glass of wine in Garbatella, the evening ambiance in Trastevere, and attended a Rachmaninoff piano concerto. All in all, the course has offered us an insight into a fascinating historical period while sharing memorable experiences!