Kate Findley

Long Copy The palaces of rulers past and present are truly a sight to behold. Marvel at Weiyang, China’s Endless Palace, about 11 times the size of Vatican City. Tour the gorgeous gardens at the Palace of Versailles, lined with bronze statues inspired by Dionysus, Apollo, and the four elements. Take a ride on the floating palaces, from the Syracusia of 240 B.C., which stood an impressive three decks tall and boasted a library and gymnasium, to Cleopatra’s perfumed pleasure ship to Caligula’s luxurious bejeweled vessels. The Architecture of Power, a 24-lecture course taught by Professor Stephen L. Tuck, offers an insider’s look at history’s most awe-inspiring structures. Not only will you get a glimpse into buildings that are either inaccessible to the public or no longer exist, but you’ll also delve into concepts that were long kept secret from the average citizen. You’ll learn how rulers impressed the ruled, intimidated visitors, thwarted assassination attempts, and maintained control over vast amounts of resources. The Perpetuation of Power Indeed, these lectures expose us to a real world Game of Thrones, where rulers behaved ruthlessly toward the conquered and presided over their own people with an iron fist. The huge discrepancies between palace sizes and the houses of ordinary citizens were meant to evoke a combination of awe and fear. However, they also reflected the rulers' insecurities. Everyone from Saddam Hussein to the ancient Egyptian pharaohs lived under constant threat of assassination. Learn how the palaces offered protection, both internally and externally. Besides the sheer size of the buildings, leaders exerted their authority in a variety of ways. These included: • • • • Palace location: This is how the pharaohs established themselves as supreme authorities, even more powerful than priests. Materials: Using rare materials was a clear display of status, from the bronze doors of Persepolis to the numerous fountains and pools lining Saddam’s palaces in a land where water is scarce. Imported plants/animals: Perhaps most impressive was the collection of over 40 species of plants as well as domesticated lions and elephants roaming the gardens of the Assyrian palace at Nimrud. This demonstrated the king’s power over not only man but also nature. Artwork. This included paintings and sculptures as well as imposing stone reliefs decorated with vivid battle scenes, depicting the ruler as the clear victor. Meet a Colorful Cast of Characters Equally as fascinating as the buildings themselves are the rulers who occupied these buildings. You’ll get acquainted with pharaoh Amenhotep IV, who completely redefined Egypt, ushering in a new era and placing himself on a direct plane with the sun god. Be captivated by Ashurnasirpal II, whose larger-than-life accounts of big-game hunting, banquets serving thousands of guests, and rousing military conquests are enthrallingly depicted in inscriptions throughout the palace at Nimrud. Then there’s Caligula, whose flare for spectacle and excess brings to mind many current celebrities. But with great power comes great responsibility. You’ll discover how public and private personas were deeply intertwined for these rulers. As with today’s politicians, the luxurious lifestyles came at a cost. Their primary duty was to serve the people in every way possible. For instance, Egyptian pharaohs were expected to maintain order in the natural world. Imagine if your life hinged on whether or not the Nile flooded! We also pay tribute to the notable individuals who managed to excavate these palaces brick by brick so we can marvel over them today. Many of these excavations occurred two hundred or more years ago, without the convenience of modern technology. In some cases, as with the efforts involving the famed floating vessels, it took hundreds of years of failed attempts before archeologists successfully recovered the structures. Discover How Structures Reveal Social Hierarchies Hierarchies were reflected in the dining hall seating, arrangements of rooms, and positioning of represented individuals in sculptures. You’ll learn how one relief sculpture lining the staircase leading to the mighty Gate of All Nations in Persepolis was intended to keep visitors in their place, both literally and figuratively. This subservience to rank is also illustrated in the famed terra cotta army from the Qin Dynasty. In palaces ranging from the ancient Assyrian and Egyptian palaces to the Endless Palace, courtyards, chambers, and throne rooms were designed in such a way that only the highest-ranking members of society had private access to the ruler. At the same time, large public spaces were included to encourage interaction between the leader and his people. As you’ll discover, the degree of interaction varied between regimes and cultures. Additionally, rulers held lavish banquets featuring thousands of servings of wild meat, imported vegetables, and exotic spices. This provided an opportunity for rulers to both demonstrate their generosity and their military might, as most of this food came from conquered lands. Decode the Symbolic Meaning Embedded in Designs Palaces are more than just the homes of rulers. Their design and decoration reflect the public images and political needs of their occupants. More than that, though, you’ll see how every aesthetic decision is representative of the regime’s collective values. You’ll learn: • • • How motifs carry universal significance. Even hundreds of years ago, you see common themes displayed in architectural design across continents. Ways in which design evoked not only power but also ideals of order and balance. In China’s Weiyang Palace, the architectural alignment was intended to create harmony with the surrounding landscape. Although this may seem counterintuitive, considering the vast expenditure of natural resources, it exemplified the concept of Yin-Yang. How design “makeovers” signified the changing of guard with new regimes Modern Day Palaces Palaces are not just relics of a bygone era. Although today’s major structures may not resemble the palaces of ancient Rome and Egypt on a surface level, look closer and you’ll see many iconographic similarities. Such similarities can be found in: • • • Department store layouts The interior and exterior design of the White House The Amazon headquarters in Seattle – despite the company’s commitment to frugality and functionality, many elements of these buildings recall the excesses of imperial palaces A Visual Feast Presented By a Passionate Returning Professor One great aspect of The Architecture of Power is its flexibility. Because the course is based on a general theme rather than a specific subject, you don’t have to watch the lectures consecutively. It’s a great course to dip in and out of, picking and choosing whatever lectures suit your fancy. This is an intensely visual course featuring over 700 images including graphics, maps, floor plans, reconstructions, artwork, portraits, artifacts, and interior and exterior photos. These images, along with Professor Tuck’s dynamic narration, bring the material to life. Tuck is extremely knowledgeable about the subject, having taught courses and written numerous articles on ancient cities. He’s also conducted archeological field research in Europe and Egypt and tours in Italy. Even for familiar topics such as the Renaissance, he digs deep beneath the surface, dredging up unexpected insights. Most importantly, though, his enthusiasm for the subject is contagious. You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating his next revelation. Prof. Tuck doesn’t just present history as a collection of facts and figures. Throughout his lectures, he reinforces how everything has contributed to the big picture. While he does delve into the intricacies of design, he’s equally invested in their profound implications for society. After taking this course, you’ll look at the world through a whole new set of eyes! What You Will Learn 1. Discover how cultural values, social hierarchies, and political structures are embedded in ancient walls all the way through to modern blueprints. 2. Learn how ideals of order and harmony play into everything from ancient Egyptian temples to China’s Endless Palace in distinct and fascinating ways. 3. Decipher the hidden code behind myriad design and decorative decisions. 4. Explore how rulers maintain power, evoke fear, and manage their public and private personas. 5. Investigate how ancient palace iconography continues to reveal itself in present day structures. Brand Perception Decks 1. Gain a backstage pass to history’s most opulent, breathtaking palaces with a passionate tour guide. These magnificent structures, most built centuries ago, stand as testament to the powers of teamwork and ingenuity. 2. Get acquainted with powerful rulers of the past whose outrageous theatrics and penchant for excess rivals today’s celebrities. Discover how this power is communicated in everything from toilet seat materials to plant species in the palace gardens. 3. Peek behind the curtain of world-famous palaces, unearthing the buried messages in large-scale design decisions such as building location and symmetry down to the miniscule details. Headlines 1. From Weiyang to the White House: How Power Perpetuates 2. Uncover the Secrets of History’s Most Formidable Rulers 3. The Evolution of Architecture Through Space and Time Why This Great Course We are constantly searching for new ways to look at history. Here we turn to the great structures that represented power and hierarchy in the ancient world. You’ll see how these structures function as a microcosm of civilization and how the same elements still show up in our buildings today. After this course, you’ll look closer at your surroundings as everything becomes infused with meaning. From the placement of Winston Churchill’s bust in the White House to the winged chariot flanking the entrance to Rome’s Palace of Justice, nothing is accidental. You’ll never look at a building the same way again! Whether you’re planning your next big vacation or armchair traveling, the course covers a huge range of locations. Two very popular palaces are Masada and the Endless Palace in China. If you have any plans to visit either of these locations, watch the lectures on them first. You will get so much more out of your tour. However, many featured palaces have either been destroyed or are otherwise inaccessible to the public. This course gives you an opportunity to explore them in detail. Professor Stephen L. Tuck is a popular returning professor whose previous courses, including courses on Rome and Pompeii, are highly rated. Given his expertise in architecture and ancient urban civilizations, he’s the perfect match for this course. Lecture Blurbs Lecture 1: Saddam Hussein and the Modern Palace: Inheritor of the Past From the famed gold toilet seats to artificial lakes to lions roaming the grounds, you'll tour Saddam Hussein's lavish palaces. Discover how he called upon the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians for inspiration and also how the architecture changed over time in response to threats from Iran and the U.S. Lecture 2: Malkata Palace: Pharaoh, Foreigners, and Gods Now we travel back to the 14th century B.C., a time of peace, prosperity, and plentitude for Egyptians. Learn how the Malkata Palace represents a microcosm of Egypt. Architectural details reveal little-known facts about religious rituals and telling insights into how pharaohs attempted to assert their domination over others. Lecture 3: Amarna: Palace of the First Sun King Egypt changes overnight! Amenhotep IV takes on a new name -- Akhenaten -- and shifts Egypt's capital to the fascinating city of Amarna. His worship of the sun disk defined an era built on temple crops, sacrifices, and complete subservience to the pharaoh. Learn how he wrestled power from the priests! Lecture 4: Phaistos: Palaces between Asia and Europe Archaeology often involves a great deal of detective work, as is the case with the mysterious Bronze Age Crete. The myth of Daedalus and his labyrinth symbolizes Crete's location at the intersection of multiple cultures. Discover the Phaistos Palace, where extravagant religious rituals and entertainment spectacles were likely held. Lecture 5: Palace of Nestor at Pylos and Bronze Age Greece Explore the Palace of Nestor, an extraordinary complex centered around the throne room. We travel in time from the immense treasures discovered in 2015 back to the ancient styles the Mycenaeans developed to bring these elaborate structures to life. The arrangement of rooms reveals how royals lived and maintained control. Lecture 6: The Assyrian Palace at Nimrud: Empire in Stone The Assyrian palace at Nimrud, with its imposing 20-foot gates, was designed by Ashurnasirpal II. An epic braggart, he loved to write of his conquests of nature and species of trees. Clearly an intellectual, he describes in detail the glory of feasts he threw and the math behind them! Lecture 7: Nineveh: The Architecture of Assyrian Power Discover the last great Assyrian palace and the largest city the world had ever seen before the Babylonians took over. Its designers accomplished incredible civil engineering feats, diverting entire rivers into canals that offered protection and transportation. Palace entrances were flanked by magnificent lamassu guardians standing over 12 feet tall. Lecture 8: Persepolis: Palace of the Persians The lore of Persepolis includes the exploits of many great kings. Explore the great citadel at Persepolis with its famed flight of 111 steps leading to the Gate of All Nations, a 20-foot bronze door. Learn of the spectacular stone masonry and powerful art filled with lions and mythological creatures. Lecture 9: Greek Palaces in Conquered Lands I While scholars debate the details, it's undeniable that Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire profoundly changed the world. Here we view his astonishing palaces, boosting gymnasiums and enormous swimming pools and home to elite drinking parties. We examine the unmistakable Greek style blended with Persian and Assyrian influences. Lecture 10: Greek Palaces in Conquered Lands II This is the tale of two palaces, one in Jordan and one in Libya, in the wake of Alexander the Great’s death. Both were products of military expansion and occupation, but they displayed distinct identities. Learn how the palace origins influenced the design and layout. Lecture 11: Greek Palaces Come to Roman Italy Two men, Marcus Claudius Marcellus and Lucius Licinius Lucullus, were largely responsible for the transformation of Roman architecture. Political moves, Persian influence, and sheer determination take the story of these men to a wonderful height. Lucullus may be the most important yet underrated figure in the history of palace creation. Lecture 12: Masada: Herod the Great between East and West Herod the Great is a well-studied yet controversial figure. We examine in depth his brilliant methods and materials. The construction of Masada involved many logistical challenges as giant marble tesserae slabs were shipped across the desert and hoisted up as walls. Discover Herod’s most startling and mesmerizing architectural invention. Lecture 13: Herod the Great’s Summer and Winter Palaces Herod was a complex king. His methods for expressing his royalty were full of insecurity, innovation, and a need to reflect his Jewish identity. Starting with his heated Roman baths in each palace, the king was a master of the land, giving his people a marvelous oasis in the desert. Lecture 14: Caligula’s Floating Palaces Taking inspiration from Cleopatra as well as the ancient Hellenistic rulers, Caligula's Floating Palaces included all the amenities you would expect to find onboard modern cruise ships: spacious baths, banquet halls, and live music. Caligula himself is also quite fascinating, as is the story of the ships' rediscovery. Lecture 15: Nero’s Domus Transitoria at Rome A huge fan of spectacle, Nero sponsored grand chariot races and began an architectural revolution. We find Nero’s palaces made of a new Roman concrete where bespoke designs could finally replace the utilitarian boxes of stone, thus making way for domed ceilings, custom columns, and any form he desired. Lecture 16: Nero’s Golden House: A Roman Palace Theater Nero built the infamous Domus Aurea (Golden House), a 124 acre Xanadu that enraged the rich whose land he occupied. It featured a lavish watered garden with incredible rotating sculptures that could spray perfume. Walking distance from the Colosseum, this palace was literally covered in gold. Lecture 17: Rome’s Great Imperial Palace of Domitian The word "palace" comes from the Palatine Hill in Rome, which housed Domitian’s 200-year-old palace. This impeccably placed and built structure was essentially the White House for Roman Emperors. Learn why the humongous palace and its innovative design was mythologized by poets, who compared Domitian to Jupiter. Lecture 18: Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli Hadrian was an artistic genius who personally designed the palace of his dreams to reflect his many passions and love of Greek philosophy. This luxurious villa, now a UNESCO world heritage site, set the standard for Roman architecture. A fascinating individual, Hadrian even redefined the concept of Virtus, or manliness. Lecture 19: Diocletian’s Retirement Palace, Split Diocletian came to power in the third century AD, a turbulent time for the Roman Empire, which had seen 25 emperors in the past 50 years. Learn how Diocletian, a visionary and problem-solver, brought stability to the empire. His palace represented a radical departure from traditional styles. Lecture 20: Constantine’s Palace, Constantinople Constantinople was a fresh start for the then 600-year-old Roman Empire, becoming the greatest European city of the Middle Ages. Its founder, Constantine, was (supposedly) a devout Christian. His palace featured colossal sculptures and the famed hippodrome, where chariot races, animal hunts, and prisoner executions were held. Lecture 21: China’s Endless Palace: Weiyang Palace Weiyang, China’s Endless Palace, represented not only an emperor but the very concept of empire itself with its constant expansion. Covering an area of 1,200 acres, it was the largest imperial palace ever built. You'll learn how the construction of the palace reflected Confucianism, the cornerstone of Chinese philosophy. Lecture 22: The Palace of Montezuma II at Tenochtitlán The Aztec capital, founded in a swamp, developed into the largest city in the PreColumbian Americas. Meet Montezuma II, creator of Tenochtitlán, a staunch believer in omens, and father to hundreds. Learn how a Spanish army of a few hundred men led by Hernan Cortes conquered an empire of millions. Lecture 23: Renaissance Palaces and the Classical Revival Here we visit such highlights of Renaissance architecture as Kensington Palace and the Tuileries Palace and discover how they were influenced by classical forms. Most impressive is the Palace of Versailles, which boosted Europe's largest orange tree collection and today attracts tourists from all over the world. Lecture 24: Palaces in a World of Democracies In the final lecture, we reflect on the timeless themes we've explored in this course. First, we investigate the White House, where each decorative decision reflects political agenda (and defiance to the previous regime). Then you'll discover the surprising connection between the Amazon headquarters and ancient imperial palaces!