Roman Empire, 500 BCE – 350 ACE Architecture- concrete had been previously invented, but the Romans used it to create new architectural forms. Ribbed ceiling support enabled them to build large, domed temples. Roman temples began as modest places of worship, but as Christianity spread and grew, the basilica form of design used in the meeting place was adapted to churches to accommodate growing numbers of worshippers inside. Roman columns were adapted from the Greek Corinthian form, with a base added. Sometimes they were attached to the wall creating “engaged” columns. Arches commonly used between columns. Niches with rounded tops were created for the display of sculpture. ROMAN ART Romans had a huge admiration for Greek art. This was evidenced by the extreme number of Roman copies from Greek original art. The Romans copied paintings, but focused their attention to their love of Greek sculpture. Unlike the ancient Greeks, very little has been documented on Roman artists who enjoyed individual fame. The Roman virtue was communal and focused less on the individual. This can be noticed not only in their government, but also in their artwork. Much of the work created in the Golden Age of Rome was left unsigned, which speaks clearly to the lacking importance of the individual in the Roman society. Roman society was very tolerant of alien traditions so long as they did not threaten the security of the state. New provinces were not required to adopt Roman traditions. Law and order were imposed on these new provinces, but religion was not forced. The result was an amalgamation of many traditions from the Etruscan, Near Eastern, and Egyptian cultures, therefore Roman style is not consistent because of the vast number of cultural influence on the art.

Colosseum, Rome, Italy 70-80 A.D This monument for most people represents Rome more than any other building. In the past it was identified so closely with Rome and its empire that in the early Middle Ages there was a saying: “While stands the Colosseum, Rome shall stand; when falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall; and when Rome falls- the World.” The Flavian Amphitheater, as it was known in its day, was one of Vespasian’s first undertakings after becoming emperor. The decision to build the Colosseum was very shrewd politically. The site chosen was the artificial lake on the grounds of Nero’s Domus Aurea, which was drained for the purpose By building the amphitheater there, Vespasian reclaimed for the public the land Nero had confiscated for his private pleasure and provided Romans with the largest arena for gladiatorial combats. The Colosseum takes its name not from its size- it could hold up to fifty thousand spectators- but from its location beside the Colossus of Nero, a huge statue of the emperor portrayed as the sun, at the entrance to his urban villa. It was completed in 80 A.D.

The Roman Architectural Revolution New invention adaptation: concrete. Affects architecture. Allows larger buildings to be built, and with unusual shapes and ceilings. Example: Domes

Pantheon, Rome, Italy. 118-125 AD With the new Emperor Hadrian in power, work on a new temple dedicated to all the gods began. This temple became known as the Pantheon. Excluding the use of an eight Corinthian column facade, the temple was completely revolutionary for it’s time. The dome of the Pantheon steadily decreases in thickness from the base to the top. In the very middle there is an open “Oculus” that is used as a skylight, and the only lighting of the building. The “Oculus” measures 30 feet in diameter.

To prevent overweighing the roof of the Pantheon not only did the thickness decrease as it neared the middle, but pumice was also used in its creation. Decorative panels were also carved on the inside of the dome to help keep the weight down.

Roman Sculpture * Romans greatly admired Greek sculpture and copied it. Most of our visual information about Greek sculpture comes from Roman copies. * Romans had their own sculptural tradition. It was based on realism; Romans attempted to be accurate about their society and their history. * Most Roman sculpture is portraits, often of their emperors. This was political!! By putting a sculpture of the Emperor in the civic square of each city, every Roman citizen knew what his leader looked like. Questions to Consider: Why would it be beneficial for every citizen to know how the emperor looked? Why would citizens need a portrait to recognize the emperor? How could the portraits be used to affect/alter public opinion? Puposes of political portraits: Every citizen recognized the emperor build feelings of familiarity, emotional connection, loyalty across this HUGE empire with no photos, email, tv etc, most citizens in rural areas never saw their leader portraits portrayed the emperor as he wanted to be seen - larger than life, equestrian, war-like, young, vitality, aged and experienced… often portraits were made to depict an aging emperor as decades younger than he actually was.

Roman Portraits How does this figure compare to the Greek sculptures we’ve looked at? You do NOT need to be able to name these slides! You DO need to be able to talk about Roman sculpture in general; who they were sculpting, why is was different from Greek sculpture, what their sculpture was trying to say. Realism - trying to capture how the person really looked, flaws and all. Age was revered- a sign of knowledge and experience. Roman patrician 125 AD Marble

Look at the details of how they were sculpted. Marble is used beautifully - textures! Clothing, hair, and objects (props) are all used to help describe the person fully. Roman scupture often included clothing, not because they didn’t appreciate the nude body, but because it helped to tell the story of the subject. Personality - faces LOOK different and have character and emotion.

Constantine the Great 330 AD Marble This head is part of a seated figure that was 40 feet high. What do you think this emperor statue portrayed to it’s citizens? Constantine was the last great Roman emperor. The empire split into 4 sections during his rule, with a different ruler in charge of east, north, south, and we West. Constantine was the Eastern ruler and moved the empire’s capitol from Rome to Constantinople. Constantine was the emperor who made Christianity legal, and declared ‘religious tolerance’ that ended up persecuting pagans. He himself was a Christian. Overly large eyes are characteristic of Christian Sculpture from that time. (like Tel Asmar figure eyes) Art in decline. Not as detailed and knowledgeable as earlier art. Decline in art matches declines in wealth, power, and education of a nation.

Roman Art REVIEW Rome Often copied Greeks Concrete revolutionized building = ribbed ceilings, ARCHES, and domed temples Expansive temples as Christianity spread Public works- churches, Colosseums Realism in portraiture - often political Roman Art REVIEW Rome 70 AD 118 AD 125 AD 330 AD

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