13. The Prince and the Palace: Human Made Divine on the Palatine Hill

Roman Architecture (HSAR 252) Professor Kleiner investigates the major architectural commissions of the emperor Domitian, the last Flavian emperor. She begins with the Arch of Titus, erected after Titus death by his brother Domitian on land previously occupied by Nero s Domus Transitoria. The Arch celebrated Titus greatest accomplishmentthe Flavian victory in the Jewish Warsand may have served as Titus tomb. Professor Kleiner also discusses the Stadium of Domitian, the shape of which is preserved in Rome s Piazza Navona. Her major focus is the vast Imperial Palace on the Palatine Hill designed by the architect Rabirius and featuring Domitian as dominus et deus (lord and god). Constructed from brickfaced concrete and revetted with multicolored imported marbles, this structure was divided into public and private wings, and was so magnificent that it served as the urban residence of all subsequent Roman emperors. The lecture concludes with the socalled Forum Transitorium, a