IMPORTANT TERMS
City of Rome
Started out as a small settlement on the banks of the Tiber
River in southern Italy
Gradually grew in both size and influence, eventually
commanding large portions of Europe, the Middle East and
North Africa
Functioned as the centre of government during the
Republican period, as well as during the period of the
Empire until the 3rd century AD
IMPORTANT TERMS
Republican Rome
Covers the period between 509-49 BC, during which time
Rome evolved from a small settlement into a the centre of a
massive empire
The Republican system was built on the participation of
those who held Roman citizenship, and aimed to govern in
their best interests
Eventually, the size of the empire meant that the Republican
system could no longer function effectively – led to the
emergence of generals as the main power figures and the
rise of the Roman Empire
IMPORTANT TERMS
Roman Empire
The likes of Crassus, Julius Caesar, Pompey, Cicero and Cato
were among those responsible for the ending of the
Republican system
Octavian, the nephew of Julius Caesar, defeated his rivals
after the death of his uncle and became the “Emperor” of
Rome
Octavian ensured that the rule of the Roman Empire
remained within his family, despite his claims to have
restored the Republic – effectively became the first ruler of
a family dynasty
ART & ARCHITECTURE - OUTSIDE INFLUENCE
As Rome was a dominant global force for much of its
existence, it was heavily influenced by a wide array of
cultures
In terms of art and architecture, Greek culture and
style had the greatest impact on Rome
Greek craftsmen and artisans were lucratively employed by
the Romans, and many Roman statues, building and
monuments were either copies of or inspired by existing
Greek works
THE SPEARBEARER
Roman copy of a sculpture by Polykleitos(440 BC)
Statue is considered a classic example of Greek sculpture – focus on exact anatomy and body positioning
Subject stepping forward with one foot, would have been holding a spear in his left hand
AUGUSTUS OF PRIMA PORTA
Sculptor has used the basic shape of the Spearbearer to create this statue
Like the Spearbearer, Augustus is stepping forward and there is an emphasis on body shape and positioning
Only small adjustments were made to turn the Spearbearer into this particular statue
IMPERIAL RELIEF SCULPTURE
Production of an image through carving away at a
surface until an image appears, raised out of the
original material
This image was then incised with great amounts of detail,
including facial features, clothing, etc.
Relief sculpture was used prominently on state monuments,
such as columns, triumphal arches, temples and ceremonial
altars, ie. the Ara Pacis Augustae
ROMAN ART AS SYMBOLISM
Roman art and architecture, beyond serving practical purposes, often had important symbolic meaning
Emperors and generals used things such as temples, arches and columns as glorified propaganda pieces designed to display their own greatness
When depicted in bust or statue form, many emperors chose to be portrayed in the form of gods or heroes from the past, ie. Commodus as Herakles
ARCH OF TITUS
This carving shows Emperor Titus returning from the freshly
conquered Jerusalem, bearing a treasure from the Temple at
Jerusalem and accompanied by a god
COMMODUS AS HERAKLES
The son of Marcus Aurelius,
Commodus was Emperor
180-192 AD
What message is
Commodus sending by
associating himself with
Herakles - wearing the lion
skin, carrying the club and
carrying the “Apples of
Immortality”?
ROMAN BUILDINGS - ARCHES
A common feature used in Roman architecture of both
the Republic and Empire is the arch
The use of arches make for very sturdy structures, and
enabled the Romans to construct a wide variety of buildings
Arches enabled builders to enclose large spaces with a roof,
without cluttering floor space with supporting columns
In addition to increasing size and structural integrity, arches
allowed light to enter building naturally (ie. the Pantheon)
ROMAN BUILDINGS – ARCHES
1. Keystone 2. Voussoir 3. Extrados 4. Impost 5. Intrados 6. Rise 7. Clear Span 8.
Abutment
VAULT
A series of arches built one behind the other
Creates a tunnel that can be used either in the design of a
building or act as the roof of the building itself
CROSS VAULT
Two vaults built perpendicular to one another
Like vaults, used for the roof buildings and things like
hallways, passages, etc.