The architecture of power : great palaces of the ancient world

Summary: The seat of power. A symbol of authority and prosperity. The center of a complex nexus of social and cultural forces. A palace is all of these and more. Palaces are mirrors of the societies that created them and the rulers that occupied them. The palaces of rulers past and present are truly a sight to behold. Marvel at Weiyang, China's Endless Palace. Tour the gorgeous gardens at the Palace of Versailles. Take a ride on the floating palaces, from the Syracusia of 240 BC to Cleopatra's perfumed pleasure ship and Caligula's luxurious bejeweled vessels. The Architecture of Power offers an insider's look at some of history's most awe-inspiring structures. In 24 lectures presented by Professor Steven L. Tuck of Miami University, you will not only get a glimpse into imposing and magnificent places, but you will also experience many that are inaccessible to the public-and even some that no longer exist. As you make your way through these storied sites, you'll also delve into an exploration of the meaning of power and the ways it operated in societies across the globe. After taking this course, you'll see these places and what they mean-in the past, as well as today-in a whole new way.