The course foresees an historical introduction on the Eastern provinces of the Roman empire so as to understand their formation process and their main peculiarities and characteristics. The main focus of the course will be the analysis of some cities in the eastern provinces of the empire (Syria, Arabia, Palaestina), so as to examine their urban layout and the characteristics of the most important preserved monuments. A particular attention will be devoted to distinctive features and possible differences occurring in cities and buildings located in different provinces, aiming at analysing the cultural combination determined by the meeting of Roman and pre-existent cultures. Roman provinces are characterised by original building typologies and peculiar works of art, which will be examined in detail, mainly public buildings (agora, basilica, spectacle buildings, baths etc.), sacred buildings (temples and sanctuaries), private structures.