The Romans developed a range of gardens to suit every purpose – those attached to houses, farms, villas, tombs, temples, and public spaces – in a way not seen before, and would introduce these into Britain, together with sophisticated gardening techniques and many new plant species. In this course, the latest evidence from history, art, and archaeology will be examined in order to chart the development of Roman gardens and trace their presence in Britain. Plants and plant introductions, tools & technologies, and the religious and symbolic aspects of gardens, will all be considered within the context of wider social change. Throughout, key works will be cited as well as gardens to visit in order to give students a good basis for their own research on this formative period.
Course aim
In this course we trace the history and character of ancient Roman gardens & look at the evidence for their presence in Britain.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
- This course is for anyone interested in garden history. No prior knowledge of the subject is required.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of the evidence used to understand Roman gardens.
- Characterise the main types of Roman garden, with examples.
- Outline the key trends in British garden history in this period.
- List five key Roman plant imports into Britain and describe their uses.
What else do I need to know?
This is an online course so students will need access to a computer or laptop with an internet connection.
View full course information sheet
