7.2 Historical Reliefs and Public Monuments
3 min read•august 5, 2024
Historical reliefs and public monuments played a crucial role in Late Antiquity. These structures, like the , showcased imperial power through , narrative reliefs, and repurposed artwork called .
Emperors used these monuments as propaganda tools, depicting military victories and generous acts. Techniques like and in reliefs helped tell stories and highlight important figures, reinforcing the emperor's authority and achievements.
Triumphal Arches and Imperial Propaganda
Arch of Constantine and Spolia
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- The Arch of Constantine, dedicated in 315 CE, is a triumphal arch in Rome that commemorates Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE
- Incorporates spolia, which is the reuse of earlier building material or decorative elements in new monuments
- The arch features reliefs and sculptures taken from monuments dedicated to Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius, repurposed to celebrate Constantine's reign
- The use of spolia in the Arch of Constantine demonstrates the practice of recycling and reinterpreting earlier imperial imagery to legitimize the current ruler
Triumphal Arches as Imperial Propaganda
- Triumphal arches were erected to commemorate significant military victories and to honor the emperor responsible for the triumph
- Served as a form of imperial propaganda, promoting the power, achievements, and legitimacy of the emperor
- Often featured reliefs depicting scenes of military conquests, processions, and ceremonies
- Examples of other famous triumphal arches include the (c. 81 CE) and the (203 CE) in Rome
Adventus and Largitio Scenes
- Triumphal arches often depicted scenes, which represent the emperor's ceremonial entry into a city
- These scenes emphasize the emperor's role as a victorious leader and the celebration of his arrival
- scenes, also found on triumphal arches, depict the emperor distributing gifts or money to the people
- Largitio scenes highlight the emperor's generosity and his role as a benefactor to his subjects, reinforcing his popularity and support among the populace
Narrative Relief Techniques
Continuous Narrative in Roman Art
- is a sculptural technique that tells a story or depicts a sequence of events through a series of images
- Continuous narrative is a method of visual storytelling where a single scene contains multiple stages of a story, often with the same figures repeated in different positions
- This technique allows the viewer to follow the progression of a narrative within a single composition
- An example of continuous narrative can be seen on (c. 113 CE), which depicts the emperor's military campaigns in Dacia
Hieratic Scale in Roman Relief Sculpture
- Hieratic scale is a technique used in ancient art where the size of figures is determined by their social or political importance rather than their distance from the viewer
- In Roman relief sculpture, the emperor and other important figures are often depicted as larger than the surrounding figures, emphasizing their significance
- This technique is used to convey the power dynamics and social hierarchy within the composition
- The use of hieratic scale can be observed in various Roman relief sculptures, such as the (Altar of Augustan Peace, 13-9 BCE) and the (c. 193 CE)
Imperial Columns
Column of Arcadius
- The , also known as the Arcadian Column, was a triumphal column erected in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in honor of the Eastern Roman Emperor Arcadius (r. 395-408 CE)
- The column was built in the early 5th century CE and was likely modeled after Trajan's Column in Rome
- It featured a spiral relief depicting Arcadius' victories and achievements, although the column itself no longer survives
- The Column of Arcadius demonstrates the continuation of the tradition of erecting triumphal columns in the Eastern Roman Empire, even as the Western Roman Empire was in decline
Triumphal Columns as Monuments to Imperial Power
- , such as Trajan's Column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius in Rome, were erected to commemorate the military victories and achievements of Roman emperors
- These columns featured elaborate spiral reliefs that narrated the events of the emperor's campaigns, serving as a form of visual propaganda
- The columns were often topped with a statue of the emperor, further emphasizing their power and authority
- The erection of triumphal columns in prominent locations within cities served to remind the populace of the emperor's successes and reinforce their legitimacy as rulers
Key Terms to Review (15)
Adventus: Adventus refers to the ceremonial arrival of a dignitary, often a ruler or military leader, marked by public display and celebration. This concept was crucial in the context of historical reliefs and public monuments, as it was commonly depicted in art to symbolize power, authority, and the divine right of leaders. The adventus not only celebrated the presence of important figures but also served to reinforce the social and political hierarchies of the time through artistic representation.
Ara Pacis Augustae: The Ara Pacis Augustae, or the Altar of Augustan Peace, is a monumental altar in Rome dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. Commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BCE to honor Emperor Augustus and celebrate his return to Rome after three years in Spain and Gaul, this structure symbolizes the peace and prosperity brought about during Augustus' reign. Its intricate reliefs depict various scenes that emphasize themes of peace, fertility, and the divine connection of Augustus.
Arch of Constantine: The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome, erected in 315 CE to commemorate Emperor Constantine's victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. This monumental structure is significant for its use of spolia, which incorporates reliefs and sculptures from earlier monuments, reflecting both Constantine’s power and the blending of imperial imagery with late antique artistic practices.
Arch of Septimius Severus: The Arch of Septimius Severus is a monumental arch located in the Roman Forum, constructed in 203 AD to commemorate the victories of Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons over the Parthians. This triumphal arch serves not only as a significant public monument but also showcases the evolution of historical reliefs and imperial portraiture during the late Roman Empire, reflecting the political propaganda strategies of the time.
Arch of Titus: The Arch of Titus is a monumental arch situated on the Via Sacra in Rome, built to commemorate the victory of Emperor Titus in the Jewish War (66-73 CE), particularly the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. This structure is notable for its relief sculptures that depict scenes from the triumphal procession celebrating the Roman conquest, highlighting both the military achievements and the propagandistic function of public monuments during this period.
Column of Arcadius: The Column of Arcadius is a monumental column erected in Constantinople, commemorating the reign of Emperor Arcadius, who ruled from 395 to 408 AD. This structure is notable for its elaborate reliefs that showcase important historical events and the emperor's achievements, serving as a significant example of public monuments during Late Antiquity.
Column of Marcus Aurelius: The Column of Marcus Aurelius is a monumental structure in Rome, built to commemorate the victories of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the Marcomannic Wars. It stands at approximately 30 meters tall and features a continuous frieze that spirals around the column, depicting various scenes of battle and heroic acts. This column serves as an important example of historical reliefs and public monuments in Roman art, showcasing both the artistic techniques of the time and the political propaganda used to glorify the emperor's achievements.
Continuous narrative: Continuous narrative is a storytelling technique in visual art where multiple scenes from a narrative are depicted within a single composition, allowing viewers to understand the sequence of events as they progress through the artwork. This method combines various moments in time, often overlapping them in a way that emphasizes the story's development, often seen in historical reliefs and public monuments.
Hieratic Scale: Hieratic scale is an artistic technique used to convey the relative importance of figures in a composition by varying their sizes. In this method, more important figures are depicted as larger than those of lesser importance, which allows artists to communicate social hierarchy and significance within a work. This technique was prevalent in both ancient and late antique art, emphasizing the transition from classical naturalism to more symbolic representations.
Imperial columns: Imperial columns are grand, monumental columns that were used in architecture during the Roman Empire to symbolize power and authority. They often served as commemorative structures, featuring intricate reliefs and inscriptions that celebrated victories, achievements, or the divine right of emperors. These columns were not just functional supports; they were designed to convey imperial propaganda and assert the emperor's dominance through their impressive scale and detailed artistry.
Largitio: Largitio refers to the act of giving or bestowing gifts or donations, often used in the context of public displays of generosity in Late Antiquity. This term is connected to the practice of largitio which was prevalent among emperors and wealthy elites who sponsored public monuments and reliefs to promote their image and engage with the populace. It highlights how art and architecture served not only aesthetic purposes but also political and social functions in the fabric of society.
Narrative relief: Narrative relief is a sculptural technique that presents a story or a sequence of events through the use of three-dimensional figures carved into a flat surface. This form of artistic expression captures dynamic moments, conveying historical, mythological, or religious narratives in a visually engaging manner. By manipulating the depth and placement of figures, artists can create a sense of action and emotion, making the stories more relatable and vivid for the viewer.
Spolia: Spolia refers to the practice of reusing architectural or decorative elements from older structures in new buildings or monuments. This practice often served as a way to legitimize the new constructions by connecting them to the past, showcasing continuity in tradition and power, especially in times of transition or crisis.
Trajan's Column: Trajan's Column is a monumental structure in Rome, built around 113 CE to commemorate Emperor Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars. Standing at approximately 30 meters tall, it features a continuous frieze that spirals around the column, depicting detailed scenes of the military campaign and offering a wealth of information about Roman society and warfare during that era.
Triumphal arches: Triumphal arches are monumental structures designed to commemorate military victories or significant events, typically featuring a large archway and adorned with intricate reliefs and inscriptions. These arches serve not only as celebratory markers but also as powerful symbols of imperial authority and civic pride, often located at important crossroads or entrances to cities.