The Roman Forum and Colosseum: Grand Spectacles of the Imperial Capital with Andrew Kranis

Description The Forum, Rome’s earliest city center, contains paving, buildings, and cultural artifacts from as early as the 7th Century BCE. It has been crafted to express the grand pageant of an empire in continual transformation through military conquest abroad. The Colosseum, which marks the finale of the urban sequence of the Forum, is the fabled 1st Century gladiatorial amphitheater built by the Flavian Dynasty to entertain, intimidate, and flatter the Roman people for over five centuries.  In this lecture, we will examine the Roman Forum and its major sites, paying particular attention to the Colosseum, its extraordinary and cutting-edge architectural features, and its role as Italy's unofficial logo. Rome-based architect and guide Andrew Kranis will blend historic knowledge of the extraordinary achievements and exploits of the builders of Ancient Rome with a virtual visit to the contemporary Italian Capital, employing videos of his journey by bicycle and on foot through the city, along with live navigation using Google Maps. Led by an expert in Roman history and architecture, Andrew Kranis, this lecture will discuss the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of why the Roman Forum and Colosseum are among the most visited places in the world. About Your Expert Andrew, a New York City native, is a LEED-accredited architect who came to Rome as a Fellow of the American Academy. He holds a Masters in Architecture from Columbia University and a B.A. from Duke University. Here in Rome, he currently teaches architecture and researches ecology and urbanism in support of sustainable design projects such as his "Green Piazza" proposal for Rome. He has a varied background in design and historic preservation, which includes masonry conservation of landmark buildings in New York City as well as retail design for Whole Foods Market. Earlier in his career, he has even worked as a theater director and as a design manager for Japanese dance troupes touring in North America and Europe. Audience This lecture is suitable for all ages. Duration 60 minutes