Transcript Ancient Rome - Dakota State University

Ancient Rome
The Organizers
Roman Art
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Philosophy: Efficiency, organization, practicality
Art Forms: Mosaics, realistic wall paintings,
idealized civic sculpture
Most Famous Building: Pantheon
Signature City: Rome
Role Model: Greece
Major Contributions: Law, engineering, and
cement
The Legacy of Rome
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Roman architects used Greek forms but
developed new construction techniques:
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Arch: to span greater distances than the Greek post
and lintel
Other Roman contributions:
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Basilica: an oblong building with semicircular apses on either
end-used as a meeting place
Barrel Vault: deep arch forming a half cylindrical roof
Groin Vault: two intersecting barrel vaults at the same height
that form a right angle.
(See page 125)
Is it Greek or Roman?
The Pantheon,
A.D. 118-125, Rome.
The domed rotunda of the
Pantheon illustrates the
Roman architect’s ability
to enclose space.
See page 135 text
Is it Greek or Roman?
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Parthenon, 448-432 B.C., Athens
The Parthnon’s triangular pediment and columned
portico show classic Greek temple format.
Is it Greek or is it Roman?
Greek & Roman art & architecture are often confused.
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Greeks
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Temples to glorify gods
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Walls made of stone blocks
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Roman
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Rectangular, straight lines
Post and lintel support
Idealized god sculpture
Stylized figures floating in
space in Paintings
Mythology subject of art
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Civic buildings to honor
Empire (baths, forums)
Walls of concrete with
ornamental facings
Circles, curved lines
Rounded arch & vault support
Realistic human beings
sculpture
Realistic images with
perspective
Civic leaders; military triumphs
Roman Architecture:
Vaulting Ambition
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Besides Roman Law, another one of Rome’s
most valuable contributions was: Architecture
and Engineering
Roman Builders developed: the arch, the vault,
the dome and pioneered the creative use of
concrete
Their engineering skills allowed immense
covering of interior space without inner support.
Rome’s Wealth
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Rome became
incredibly rich due to
their conquerings.
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Nero’s palace “The
Golden House”
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Most opulent residence
in antiquity
Featured Banquet room
with perfume sprinklers
Domed Revolving Roof
for guests to view
constellations.
Nero’s Palace
Romans Loved Baths!
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The more extravagant
the better!
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Baths of Caracalla
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Where capacity
crowds of 1600 bathed
in pools of varying
water temperatures.
Roman Sculpture:
Politics as Usual
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Romans copied the Greeks until gradually
they developed their own style.
Generally, Roman sculpture was more
literal.
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Wax death masks of ancestors adorned their
homes. They were realistic and completely
factual & had a large influence on sculptors.
An Exception to Rule. . .
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Was the assembly line
production of god-like busts
of emperors, politicians and
military leaders that
established a political
presence throughout Europe.
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During Rome’s decline, portrait
busts reverted to brutal
honesty. . .
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See pages 143, 144, 145
for other examples
Marcus Aurelius, A.D. 165, Rome. He
was a Stoic philosopher who detested
war. Sculptor reflects his gentleness.
Narrative Relief
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Another principle form of
Roman sculpture.
Column of Trajan, 650 ft.
long relief,
commemorating mass
slaughter in 150+scenes.
Panels of sculpted figures
decorated triumphal
arches depicting
victorious armies.
The Column of Trajan, 106-113 AD
The Colosseum
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Still one of the world’s
largest buildings in terms
of sheer mass & the
inspiration for present
day stadiums.
Used for large scale
public entertainment.
Opening act: Naval Battle
Scene (300 cast)
Other Acts: Starving Lions,
Man vs. Bear, etc.
Pompeii:
A City Turned to Carbon
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A luxury resort
community,
Pop.25000 - 79AD
Destroyed by Mt.
Vesuvius eruption
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Was covered &
forgotten for 1700
years . . . Preserved!
Pompeii Findings
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Scientific excavation
disclosed whole villas in
which every wall was
painted with realistic still
lifes and landscapes and
make believe windows
Style: immitations of
colored marble to trompe
l’oeil
Mastery of tricks of
perspective, light and
shadow… and mosaics.
Mural Paintings On or Near Site
Mural Paintings:
Executed in Buon Fresco but with
small amounts of wax added to
increase shine.
View of the Frescos at
the Villa of the
Mysteries near Pompeii,
65-50 BC (pg.146 text)
Created illusions of framed art
Narrative Order Scenes