The course deals with the development of settlement in Rome from its origins to the 5th century AD, within the context of contemporary urban developments in Italy. The students are exposed to the basic methodologies that allow the combination of textual and visual sources with the archaeological evidence. A series of case-studies, from the archaic Sacra Via to the Temple of Divus Augustus will provide opportunities to discuss controversial problems and different approaches to their solution. Reading knowledge of Italian is necessary.