The Wonders of Augustan Rome

As the Roman Republic collapsed under the weight of its own extraordinary success in acquiring an empire, civil wars reduced Rome’s greatest generals to fighting with one another: from Marius and Sulla, to Pompey and Caesar, and eventually Antony and Octavian (the adopted son and heir of Caesar). With his final victory over Antony and Cleopatra, Octavian finally brought peace to the Roman World (pax Romana) and, in doing so, was recognized by the Senate as princeps (first among equals) and “Augustus” under whose rule an epoch-making new era in The Eternal City of Rome was inaugurated.

During his lifetime, Augustus presided over the restoration of Rome itself as the capital of an empire at peace, renovating ancient sites and constructing new marble monuments and temples worthy of Roman glory and grandeur. The art and architecture of the Augustan Age express a visual rhetoric that commands attention and are still admired today. Augustus also encouraged the flourishing golden age in poetry and literature represented in the work of Horace, Ovid, Virgil, Livy, and Vitruvius—wonders as well in their own right! In this multi-week course, we will survey the highlights and pause to study in fascinating detail the history, art, architecture, and culture associated with one of the greatest epochs in Italy: The Wonders of Augustan Rome.

When: Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., February 3 through February 24, 2025

Where: Italian Cultural & Community Center, 1101 Milford Street

Tickets: $125 ICCC Members | $150 General Admission

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Dustin Gish is a Professor of Humanities and Political Philosophy in the Honors College at the University of Houston, where he has taught courses in political theory, philosophy, and literature since 2014. He received his interdisciplinary Ph.D. from the Institute of Philosophic Studies at the University of Dallas, and his M.A. in Liberal Education from St. John’s College (SF). For a decade, Dr. Gish lived in Rome, Italy, and taught courses there at two American universities focused on ancient Roman civilization as well as on the art, history, and philosophy of the Italian Renaissance. He has published extensively on the plays of Shakespeare, Thomas Jefferson and the American Founding, Xenophon's Socrates, and the visual rhetoric of Italian civic republicanism.

Cancellation Policy: Due to high demand for courses, tuition is non-refundable. We offer tuition credit toward a future group class if you cancel 48 hours in advance of the start of the first class. Tuition credit is valid for six months from the date issued. If you cancel less than 48 hours in advance, your tuition payment will be converted into a tax-deductible donation to the Italian Cultural & Community Center. No credits or refunds will be given to students who miss a portion of the class. To cancel your reservation, email us at [email protected].

This course is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

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Host or Publisher Italian Cultural & Community Center