MARCUS AURELIUS

Parts taken from the emperor

Yellow

• Attic is decorated with 8 rectangular

reliefs, between the Dacian captives

CommemorateMarcus AureliusVictory in Germany& Eastern Europe. 4 onEach side.

On the north side is: Emperor entering Rome ( ), emperor leaving the city, distrubiting money to the people (donatio) and surrender of a barbarian chief. On the south side: another Barbarian chief surrenders, prisoners are shown being lead to the emperor, and the last two are Marcus Aurelius addressing his troops (oratio), and doing a sacrifice with them.

The heads are

18th cent restorations.

These reliefs (of him

Accepting the surrender

Of German prisoners) all

show MarcusAurelius’ virtue of

Clementia – forbearance

And moderation

HadrianParts taken from the emperor

Blue

• The roundels 2.36m diameter4 on each Side. North side:(L-R): a boar hunt, sacrifice to Apollo, Lion hunt, sacrifice to

Hercules.South side: (L-R): hunting emperor, sacrifice to Silvanius

(Italian nature god), bear hunt, sacrifice to DianaThese commemorate the Emperor’s love of hunting &

his devotion to the gods. Hunting also represents the quality of virtus – courage, determination, manliness & piety in his sacrifice

Hadrian: Blue

COnstantineParts taken from the emperor

Green

Relief from Constantine period is highlighted

Reliefs from constantine’s era

• Inscriptions over the roundels commemorate the 10th anniversary of Constantine’s rule in 315AD (this is where the dates for the arch come from)

• The long narrow frieze below the roundels shows episodes in Constantine’s life

• West – constantine’s army leaving Milan• South – seige of Verona

-Battle at Milvian bridge where Maxentius died

• East – Constantine enters Rome in triumph• North – Constantine addresses the people in

Roman Forum (Oratio) - Constantine distributes money to them

(Donatio) showing his generosity

• On the east and west sides of the arch (the short sides) are two roundels.

• West – Moon (Luna) setting

• East – sun (Sol) rising in a chariot

…Both carved in high relief

Also from constantine• Winged figures of victory in spandrels of

central arch

• Personifications of the 4 seasons beneath figures of victory

• River gods in spandrels of side arches

• Pedestals of column bases decorated with Victory, Roman Soliders & Barbarian captives

Why use sculpture from other emperors?

• Taking reliefs from earlier monuments shows an element of nostalgia for Rome’s ‘golden age’of prosperity, wealth, success, military victories and when the Empire was at its height. This is one of the reasons for the choice of the monuments used.

• It linked Constantine with previous good emperors and their qualities

• There was possible a decline in skilled sculptors

Stylistic features• On panels of Trajan there is use of perspective,

front figures carved in high relief, and back in low• Marcus Aurelius reliefs are very static, formal

composition & less figures. This is because they have a symbolic function representing ideas & virtues. Marcus Aurelius is positioned higher so it draws attention to him

• Hadrian’s roundels are very simple – only a few characters & depth achieved with high & low relief

• Constantine’s panels do not have the same attention to detail or modelling. The decoration is very flat & shallow

Constantine Relief

donatio

Emperor sitting on a raised platform to emphasis his importance & surrounded by ministers and Advisers, (all dressed in toga contablulata) A lot of movement in their heads. Oratio:Statues Of Marcus Aurelius & Hadrian featureIn this relief as background. (RepresentingVirtue and piety, as these emperors bothHad strong reputations for having thesequalities)

Hippo and arch!!!