THE COURTAULD COLLECTION AS A TEACIDNG TOOL

Abstract

Although western civilization has its roots in Classical antiquity, much of the Greek and Roman world is strange to us. This is particularly true in Southern Africa where we do not have the Romance languages, nor the physical remains - roads, bridges, aqueducts, villas, often still in the process of being excavated - surrounding us and therefore do not experience the same continuity of history as our European or British colleagues. It is also difficult to visualize the material culture. Photos help, but do not convey a sense of scale, or texture. Real understanding often depends on a hands-on experience, or at least a look at the original.