These lectures provide an overview of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the
SU(3)C gauge theory of the strong interactions. After briefly reviewing the
empirical considerations which lead to the introduction of {\it colour}, the
QCD Lagrangian is discussed. The running of the strong coupling and the
associated property of {\it Asymptotic Freedom} are analyzed. Some selected
experimental tests and the present knowledge of αs are summarized. A
short description of the QCD flavour symmetries and the {\it dynamical breaking
of chiral symmetry} is also given.Comment: LaTeX, 51 pages, 32 figures (included in separate .uu file) Lectures
at the 1994 European School of High-Energy Physics (Sorrento, 1994
