History Online with Dr. David Miano

Journey Into the Depths of Art History with Professor Miano

Meet Professor David Miano
Historian | Author | Educator

David Miano is a historian of the ancient world. He studied Ancient History at the State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A. 1999) and the University of California, San Diego (M.A. 2003; Ph.D. 2006). He has taught courses at many colleges over the last 20 years. Miano’s chief research interests are in the history of the Near East and Eastern Mediterranean in antiquity, ancient methods of time keeping, the chronology of the ancient world, the literary and intellectual history of ancient cultures, and comparative world history. He is the proprietor of the World of Antiquity YouTube channel, which has thousands of fans from around the globe.

Uncover the Mysteries of Antiquity

  • Explore the Mysteries of Antiquity

    Join Professor Miano on an enlightening journey through ancient history, uncovering how our contemporary culture is rooted in the past. Discover the significance of ancient artifacts and their relevance to our origins.

  • Delve into Ancient Cultures

    Explore topics like Near Eastern history, ancient timekeeping methods, and the literary traditions of past civilizations, connecting these themes to the broader ancient world chronology.

  • Learn from the Scholar

    As the creator of the World of Antiquity YouTube channel, Professor Miano educates thousands globally. Now, Miano Academy offers college-level seminars and talks for adults, providing an immersive experience in ancient history.

“When I lecture, I work hard to bring to life the subject that I am covering, helping the students to see themselves in that time and place. I use a story-telling delivery style. I will often employ visual aids, including images and maps, along with an easy-to-follow outline of the subject matter, so the students know what we are covering and where we are headed. I’ve been told I have a knack for making complex ideas easy to understand”

-Prof. David Miano

Upcoming Art History Course Online

Course Overview

Cultural, religious, and historical contexts of artistic achievements from Mesopotamia
to the Western Roman Empire

What You Will Gain

  • In-depth Knowledge: Insights into ancient art and its evolution

  • Analytical Skills: Techniques for interpreting art in historical contexts

  • Global Perspective: Appreciation for diverse artistic traditions

  • Engaging Experience: Interactive discussions, visual analyses, and virtual tours

Who Should Enroll?

Anyone interested in art history, archaeology, or ancient cultures—students, professionals,
or enthusiasts.

Course Format

  • Delivery: Online with weekly video lectures, readings, and discussions

  • Prerequisites: No prior art history knowledge required; just a passion for learning!

A Journey Through Ancient Art

Weekly Breakdown

  • Week 1: Mesopotamian and Egyptian Art

    • Explore ziggurats, cylinder seals, and tomb paintings.

  • Week 2: Olmec, Minoan, and Etruscan Art

    • Discover colossal Olmec heads, Minoan frescoes, and Etruscan sculptures.

  • Week 3: Classical Greek Art

    • Examine beauty and harmony in the Parthenon and works by Phidias and Polykleitos.

  • Week 4: Hellenistic and Roman Art

    • Investigate emotive Hellenistic sculptures and Roman adaptations, including the Colosseum and Pantheon.

  • Week 5: Early Indian Art

    • Discover symbolism in Indus Valley sculptures, Buddhist stupas, and Ajanta caves.

  • Week 6: Early Chinese Art

    • Explore Shang bronzes and Qin terracotta soldiers, understanding their aesthetic principles.

“As a teacher, my first goal is to help my students learn and understand the fundamental content of the course. I think it is important to work with primary documents as much as possible so that students may engage the ancient mindset directly. My classes tend to be a combination of lecture and discussion, because it is important for the students to formulate and articulate their own ideas after engaging with ancient texts. Why did these people approach their problems as they did? What was their cultural conditioning? Is there any validity to what they said? It is my aim to accustom the students to analytical thinking and critical assessment of ideas and arguments, whether from 2000 years ago or from yesterday’s newspaper.”

-Prof. David Miano