CL2GRP: Ancient Painting

Module code: CL2GRP

Module provider: Classics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Amy Smith , email: a.c.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module students explore the range of styles, techniques, and contexts for painting in the Greek and Roman world, whether it was used to decorate architecture or free-standing objects. 

To investigate and critique the sources of our knowledge about Greek and Roman painting, its images, uses, techniques, makers and users. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Recognise and describe the range and variety of Greek and Roman paintings; 
2. Analyse the social and historical context of ancient art works bearing paintings;
3. Distinguish issues encountered with understanding the original, secondary or tertiary contexts of paintings, whether they were copied in the same or different media (such as mosaics), and understand how to interpret these media and contexts differentially; 
4. Develop art historical skills through observation and interpretation of Greek and Roman paintings; 
5. Critically evaluate individual approaches to ancient art and to develop their  own perspective, based on a solid understanding of the problems and methods 
6. Understand and use museum catalogues and relevant terminology 

Module content

This module treats the range of paintings produced in the Greek and Roman worlds from the Geometric period to the Palaeo-Christian era, ca. 1000 B.C. to ca. A.D. 330. We will examine paintings as means of decoration, religious manifestation, propaganda and bearers of political messages, and otherwise. We will consider the audience for each of these art works--whether they were on public display or belonged in private contexts, such as homes, and recognize the contribution of craftsmen, patrons, as well as consumers and other viewers. How did the ancients regard painting vis-à-vis the other arts, and how important was it in their daily lives? Particular attention will be paid to the development and revival of certain painting styles through distinct historical periods, and the ways in which modern scholars and connoisseurs have contributed to the understanding of stylistic phenomena. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught by lectures and seminars with at least two contact hours per week. 

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module. 

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark. 

Students will give unassessed group presentations.  

Reassessment

Additional costs