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.

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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 BC, which stood an impressive three decks tall and boasted a library and gymnasium, to Cleopatra’s perfumed pleasure ship and Caligula’s luxurious bejeweled vessels.

The Architecture of Power: Great Palaces of the Ancient World offers an insider’s look at some of history’s most awe-inspiring structures. In 24 lectures presented by Professor of Classics Steven L. Tuck of Miami University, you will not only get a glimpse into imposing and magnificent sites, 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. You’ll learn how rulers impressed, intimidated, survived, maintained control, and much more.

The Perpetuation of Power

These lectures will reveal a real-world Game of Thrones, where many rulers behaved ruthlessly toward the conquered and presided over their own people with an iron fist. This will to intimidate was often reflected in the immense size and luxury of palaces, built to a scale and degree of opulence that could overwhelm the commoner and elicit awe in neighbors and enemies alike.

However, they also reflected the rulers' insecurities. Everyone from the Egyptian pharaohs to Saddam Hussein lived under constant threat of assassination and uprisings. Therefore, you’ll learn how the palaces offered protection, both internally and externally.

Besides the sheer size and grandeur of the buildings, leaders manipulated their elaborate living spaces in a variety of ways, including:

Location: The placement of a structure within its environs has an impact on how its authority is perceived. This is one way the Egyptian pharaohs established themselves as dominant, 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 and 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 which would often depict the ruler as a victorious conqueror or in some way honored by the gods.

Meet a Colorful Cast of Characters

Equally as fascinating as the buildings themselves are the rulers who occupied them. You’ll get acquainted with pharaoh Amenhotep IV, who completely redefined Egypt, ushering in a new era and placing himself as an intermediary between his subjects and the sun god. You will hear the captivating stories of Ashurnasirpal II, whose larger-than-life accounts of big-game hunting, immense banquets, and rousing military conquests are enthrallingly depicted in inscriptions throughout the palace at Nimrud. Then there’s Caligula, whose flare for spectacle and excess have become hallmarks of decadence and lavish living that continue to be reflected in modern ideas of wealth and celebrity.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Professor Tuck shows how public and private personas were deeply intertwined for these rulers. As with today’s politicians, the luxurious lifestyles came at a cost, with their primary duty being to serve the people over which they ruled. 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!

Professor Tuck also highlights 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 to uncover and reconstruct some of the famous floating vessels of ancient rulers, it took hundreds of years of failed attempts before archaeologists successfully recovered the structures.

Discover How Structures Reveal Social Hierarchies

Hierarchies were reflected in everything, from the dining hall seating and arrangement of rooms, to even the positioning of individuals in decorative sculptures and murals. 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 ancient Assyria and Egypt to Italy and China, 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, with the degree of interaction varying between regimes and cultures.

Additionally, many rulers held lavish banquets featuring thousands of servings of wild meat, imported vegetables, and exotic spices. These banquets provided an opportunity for rulers to both demonstrate their generosity and their military might, as most of this food frequently came from conquered lands.

Symbolic Meaning in the Past and Present

Palaces are more than just the homes of rulers. Their design and decoration reflect the public images and political needs of their occupants. And on an even deeper level, you’ll see how every aesthetic decision is representative of the culture and regime’s collective values. Professor Tuck demonstrates how design motifs can carry universal significance, reappearing across continents over time. He also reveals the ways in which design evoked not only power, but also ideals of order and balance. For example, in China’s Weiyang Palace, the architectural alignment was intended to create harmony with the surrounding landscape and exemplified the vital balance of Yin and Yang. In fact, the appearance of a palace is so important to its function in society that any alterations or “makeovers” would often signify shifts in culture as well as a change of regime.

You will also look at the way the world and our conception of power via architecture has not changed as much as you might think; 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 the surface, if you look closer you’ll see many iconographic similarities, even in the most mundane and unexpected places. Such similarities can be found in department story layouts, modern political structures like the White House and Houses of Parliament, and even Amazon headquarters in Seattle.

A Visual Feast with a Favorite Professor

Whether you are planning a trip to visit ancient sites or simply experiencing history from the comfort of your own home, The Architecture of Power is designed to be experienced in a flexible and accessible way. The lectures are arranged in a loose chronology, but each can be experienced individually, in any order or timeframe you prefer.

This course is brought to life with over 700 images including graphics, maps, floor plans, reconstructions, artwork, portraits, artifacts, and interior and exterior photos. You will even see reconstructions and floor plans from palaces that are notoriously inaccessible to the public—and some that no longer exist beyond what history has recorded of them.

Professor Tuck’s engaging and deeply knowledgeable presentation is supported by his own archaeological experience in Europe and Egypt, as well as tours he has led in Italy and Greece. Even for familiar topics such as the Renaissance, he digs deep beneath the surface, revealing unexpected insights and new perspectives.

Throughout the lectures, Professor Tuck doesn’t just present history as a collection of facts and figures, but rather 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 see these places and what they mean—in the past, as well as today—in a whole new way.