This one-day course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The focus of this study day will be on Sicily whose story goes back to ancient times. Because of its strategic position at the very centre of the Mediterranean, it has been inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. They have left indelible marks not only on the artistic heritage but also on culture, language and food.
What will we cover?
In the morning, we will examine the surviving examples of Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Byzantine art in Sicily. We will analyse some remarkable Greek and Roman statues of gods and goddesses and marble reliefs together with Byzantine golden jewellery and mosaics. We will proceed by analysing the Arab conquest of the island. Our main focus will be on the city of Palermo, one of the great metropolitan centres of the Mediterranean. In the afternoon, we will investigate the arrival of the Normans and especially the charismatic figure of Roger II de Hauteville, who made the island a monarchy in 1130. Up to the end of the 12th century, Sicily and Palermo experienced a period of peaceful coexistence between religions while the arts were greatly promoted. In this last part of the course, we will analyse the major artworks produced in Norman Sicily, and we will discuss the important links between Normans and Arabs.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
discuss the arts and artefacts produced in Sicily;
locate artwork and artefacts in their historical, political, religious, cultural context;
establish skills of critical and visual analysis.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other cost. Please, bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about Sicily and its amazing history.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Any other ancient civilisation classes. See website for details.
Roberta Marin completed her BA in Fine Arts in Italy and holds an MA in Islamic Art and Archaeology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She has travelled extensively in the Mediterranean area and her field of interest includes Mamluk art and architecture, the history of Oriental carpets and Modern and Contemporary Art from the Arab world and Iran. She collaborates with the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art and has taught courses on various aspects of Islamic art and architecture in private and public institutions in the United Kingdom, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/a-journey-in-the-history-and-culture-of-sicily2488681A journey in the history and culture of Sicilyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations22851177119111921228511771191<p>This one-day course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.</p>133030814A journey in the history and culture of Sicily7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-10-10T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRC3927979A journey in the history and culture of Sicily635179Roberta Marina-journey-in-the-history-and-culture-of-sicily/rc392-2627<p>This one-day course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-10 00:00:00The focus of this study day will be on Sicily whose story goes back to ancient times. Because of its strategic position at the very centre of the Mediterranean, it has been inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. They have left indelible marks not only on the artistic heritage but also on culture, language and food.<p>This one-day course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.</p>In the morning, we will examine the surviving examples of Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Byzantine art in Sicily. We will analyse some remarkable Greek and Roman statues of gods and goddesses and marble reliefs together with Byzantine golden jewellery and mosaics. We will proceed by analysing the Arab conquest of the island. Our main focus will be on the city of Palermo, one of the great metropolitan centres of the Mediterranean. In the afternoon, we will investigate the arrival of the Normans and especially the charismatic figure of Roger II de Hauteville, who made the island a monarchy in 1130. Up to the end of the 12th century, Sicily and Palermo experienced a period of peaceful coexistence between religions while the arts were greatly promoted. In this last part of the course, we will analyse the major artworks produced in Norman Sicily, and we will discuss the important links between Normans and Arabs.<ul><li>discuss the arts and artefacts produced in Sicily;</li><li>locate artwork and artefacts in their historical, political, religious, cultural context;</li><li>establish skills of critical and visual analysis.</li></ul>No previous knowledge is required.Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.No other cost. Please, bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about Sicily and its amazing history.Any other ancient civilisation classes. See website for details.Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual637951RC392NONESat10/10/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetRoberta MarinBeginnersAvailable courses2026-10-10T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities7979A journey in the history and culture of Sicilya-journey-in-the-history-and-culture-of-sicily/rc392-2627<p>This one-day course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-10 00:00:00The focus of this study day will be on Sicily whose story goes back to ancient times. Because of its strategic position at the very centre of the Mediterranean, it has been inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. They have left indelible marks not only on the artistic heritage but also on culture, language and food.<p>This one-day course will offer an insight view of the multifaceted history and multilayered culture of Sicily, the ancient island off the shore of Italy mainland.</p>In the morning, we will examine the surviving examples of Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Byzantine art in Sicily. We will analyse some remarkable Greek and Roman statues of gods and goddesses and marble reliefs together with Byzantine golden jewellery and mosaics. We will proceed by analysing the Arab conquest of the island. Our main focus will be on the city of Palermo, one of the great metropolitan centres of the Mediterranean. In the afternoon, we will investigate the arrival of the Normans and especially the charismatic figure of Roger II de Hauteville, who made the island a monarchy in 1130. Up to the end of the 12th century, Sicily and Palermo experienced a period of peaceful coexistence between religions while the arts were greatly promoted. In this last part of the course, we will analyse the major artworks produced in Norman Sicily, and we will discuss the important links between Normans and Arabs.<ul><li>discuss the arts and artefacts produced in Sicily;</li><li>locate artwork and artefacts in their historical, political, religious, cultural context;</li><li>establish skills of critical and visual analysis.</li></ul>No previous knowledge is required.Teaching is intended to be interactive. PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided on Google Classroom.No other cost. Please, bring writing material and your eagerness to learn a lot about Sicily and its amazing history.Any other ancient civilisation classes. See website for details.Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
11921191Ancient civilisationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/ancient-civilisations-11/2/285/1177/1191/11921/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations
Up close and personal with Greek archaeological treasuresFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
