🏺Intro to Greek and Roman Archaeology Unit 9 – Roman Art & Architecture: Republic to Empire

Key Periods and Historical Context

• Roman art and architecture developed over a period of more than 1,000 years, from the founding of Rome in 753 BCE to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE
• The Roman Republic (509-27 BCE) saw the rise of Roman power and influence, with art and architecture reflecting the values of the state and the elite
  • Early Roman art was heavily influenced by the Etruscans and Greeks, with a focus on realism and the representation of important individuals and events
• The Roman Empire (27 BCE-476 CE) was marked by the rule of emperors and the expansion of Roman territory, with art and architecture serving as a means of propaganda and a display of wealth and power
  • The Pax Romana (27 BCE-180 CE), a period of relative peace and stability, allowed for significant artistic and architectural developments
• The Late Empire (284-476 CE) saw a decline in the quality and quantity of art and architecture, as the empire faced various challenges and ultimately fell to invading tribes

Characteristics of Roman Art

• Roman art is characterized by its realism, attention to detail, and emphasis on the individual
• Portraits were an important genre in Roman art, with a focus on capturing the likeness and personality of the subject
  • Veristic portraits, which depicted the subject with unflinching realism, were popular during the Republic
  • During the Empire, portraits became more idealized, often depicting the subject with youthful features and a sense of timelessness
• Historical reliefs were used to commemorate important events and victories, with a narrative style that depicted multiple scenes and figures
• Roman art often served a practical purpose, such as decorating public spaces and private homes, or conveying political and social messages
  • The use of art as propaganda became increasingly important during the Empire, with images of the emperor and his family used to promote the ruling dynasty
• Roman artists were skilled in a variety of media, including sculpture, painting, mosaic, and metalwork

Major Architectural Innovations

• The Romans were renowned for their architectural achievements, which combined practical functionality with artistic expression
• The arch and vault were key innovations that allowed for the creation of large, open spaces and the support of massive structures
  • The use of concrete, a building material invented by the Romans, further expanded the possibilities of architectural design
• The basilica, a rectangular building with a central nave and aisles, was developed as a public space for various functions, including legal proceedings and commercial activities
  • The Basilica Ulpia in Rome, part of Trajan's Forum, is a notable example of this building type
• The amphitheater, such as the Colosseum in Rome, was designed for large-scale public spectacles and could hold tens of thousands of spectators
• The triumphal arch, such as the Arch of Titus in Rome, was erected to commemorate military victories and served as a symbol of Roman power
• The Romans also excelled in the construction of infrastructure, such as roads, aqueducts, and bridges, which facilitated the expansion and maintenance of the empire

Influential Sculptural Works

• Roman sculpture, like other forms of Roman art, was heavily influenced by Greek art, particularly in the use of idealized forms and proportions
• The Augustus of Prima Porta, a marble statue depicting the emperor Augustus in military garb, is an example of the use of sculpture as political propaganda
  • The statue's contrapposto stance and idealized features convey a sense of power and authority
• The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, which depicts the emperor on horseback, is notable for its naturalistic portrayal of both horse and rider
• The Ara Pacis Augustae, an altar dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, features intricate reliefs depicting scenes from Roman mythology and history
  • The reliefs on the Ara Pacis showcase the high level of skill and attention to detail achieved by Roman sculptors
• Sarcophagi, stone coffins often decorated with elaborate reliefs, were used for the burial of wealthy Romans and provide insight into Roman beliefs about the afterlife
• Portrait busts, such as those of the emperors and members of the imperial family, were another important genre of Roman sculpture

Painting and Mosaics

• Roman painting, though less well-preserved than sculpture and architecture, played a significant role in the decoration of public and private spaces
• Frescoes, paintings executed on damp plaster, were used to decorate the walls of homes and public buildings
  • The frescoes from the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii depict scenes from the cult of Dionysus, providing insight into Roman religious practices
• Mosaics, images created by arranging small pieces of colored stone or glass (tesserae), were used to decorate floors and walls
  • The Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun in Pompeii depicts a battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia
• Panel paintings, executed on wood or other portable surfaces, were also produced, though few examples survive
• Roman painting and mosaic often depicted scenes from mythology, history, and everyday life, providing a glimpse into Roman culture and society
  • The frescoes from the Villa of Livia in Prima Porta depict a lush garden scene, reflecting the Roman love of nature and the outdoors

Materials and Techniques

• Roman artists and architects employed a wide range of materials in their works, including stone, marble, bronze, clay, and glass
• Marble, particularly from quarries in Greece and Asia Minor, was prized for its beauty and versatility
  • The use of colored marbles, such as purple porphyry and green serpentine, added a new dimension to Roman sculpture and architecture
• Bronze was used for sculptures, decorative elements, and practical objects, with the Romans developing sophisticated techniques for casting and patination
• Clay was used for the production of bricks, tiles, and pottery, with terra sigillata, a type of red-gloss pottery, being particularly popular
• Glass was used for a variety of purposes, including windows, vessels, and decorative elements, with the Romans developing new techniques for glass-blowing and mosaic-making
• The Romans also made use of a variety of tools and techniques, such as the pointing machine for copying sculptures and the use of perspective in painting

Notable Sites and Monuments

• The city of Rome itself is home to many of the most iconic examples of Roman art and architecture
• The Pantheon, a temple dedicated to all the gods, is notable for its massive concrete dome and its use of light and space
  • The Pantheon's dome, which measures 43 meters in diameter, was the largest of its kind in the ancient world
• The Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in the Roman world, could hold up to 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and other public spectacles
• The Forum Romanum, the center of political and social life in ancient Rome, contains the remains of numerous temples, basilicas, and other public buildings
  • The Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest structures in the Forum, was the site of the state treasury and the official seat of the Roman Senate
• Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli, a sprawling complex of buildings and gardens, showcases the wealth and power of the emperor Hadrian
• The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, provide an unparalleled glimpse into Roman daily life and art

Legacy and Influence on Later Art

• Roman art and architecture had a profound influence on the art of later periods, particularly during the Renaissance and Neoclassical eras
• The rediscovery of ancient Roman texts and artworks during the Renaissance sparked a renewed interest in classical forms and themes
  • Artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael drew inspiration from Roman sculpture and painting, incorporating classical elements into their own works
• Neoclassical artists and architects of the 18th and 19th centuries sought to revive the forms and principles of ancient Roman art
  • The United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., with its dome and portico, is an example of Neoclassical architecture inspired by Roman models
• Roman art and architecture also influenced the development of art and architecture in the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world
• The legacy of Roman art and architecture can be seen in the continued use of classical forms and motifs in art and design to the present day
  • The use of the arch and dome in modern architecture, for example, can be traced back to Roman innovations in building technology