Bust of Livia

Question 1

Who was Livia?

Answer 1

The wife of Augustus

Question 2

What styles is this bust in?

Answer 2

Roman Republic style
Classical style

Question 3

How is this bust in the Roman Republic style?

Answer 3

Roman nose, small mouth and distinctive jawline
- These are all distinctive, personal features, which was a common feature of this style

Question 4

How is this bust in the Classical style?

Answer 4

• Neutral expression
• Almond eyes
• Very smooth skin, no wrinkles

Question 5

What is the bust made of?

Answer 5

Basanite

Question 6

What is the importance of the bust’s material?

Answer 6

• This particular type of basanite comes from Egypt
• Shows control over Egypt and its resources
• Also shows Augustus’ abundance of resources, as basanite was very hard, so would have been expensive to have a statue made out of

Question 7

Neutral expression:

Answer 7

• From Classical period
• Shows stoicism
• Strong emotions were not encouraged, and it was very Roman to be in control of your emotions and desires

Question 8

What was the classical style associated with?

Answer 8

• Education was strongly associated with the Classical period, which was also considered the ‘epitome of Western culture’
• Classical Athens was associated with philosophy, with pre-Socratic philosophy having a strong focus on ethics and morals- thus the people of Athens were often seen as good and moral people
• Classical period link to Athens is also significant, as they were the first Greeks to get rid of Kings and establish a democracy. This democratic ideology could mask Octavian’s own rise to power

Question 9

Nodus hairstyle:

Answer 9

• Around this time, foreign hairstyles were fashionable, however Livia is still depicted with a very Roman style- showing her as the epitome of a traditional Roman woman.

Question 10

Scholarship on nodus hairstle?

Answer 10

ELIZABETH JESSENS
- The nodus seperates Livia from Cleopatra even further, her traditional Roman style contrasting the spread of Egyptian foreign culture through Rome, present in the changing popular hairstyles of the time

Question 11

Modest appearance:

Answer 11

• Modest, restrained hairstyle keeps attention off of her- showing her pudicitia, which is about a restrained presentation as well as behaviour
• Lack of jewellery or any luxury

Question 12

Scholarship on luxury and modest appearance:

Answer 12

THIRKELL WHITE

• Lack of luxury relates back to luxuria, which he said was ‘the root of all evil for Romans’
• An overly elaborate hairstyle could have suggested she had a weakness for luxury

Question 13

Date of creation and importance?

Answer 13

• Date of creation unknown
• But if it was after Antony and Cleopatra’s death, it could show Roman dominance over Egypt
• If it was before, it would make Antony look bad as it creates a stark contrast between the perfect Roman woman (Livia) and Cleopatra

Question 14

What would the bust’s impact have been if it was public?

Answer 14

• If it was public it would have meant the subtle messages of wealth would have been missed by the uneducated urban-poor, however Livia’s Roman-ness would have been spread, whilst also allowing the rich to be reminded of Octavian’s wealth

Question 15

What would the bust’s impact have been if it was private?

Answer 15

-it would have had less of an impact, only a few select nobles would have seen it, but these still could have been important people who perhaps needed to be influenced to support Octavian through being reminded of his wealth, Roman-ness, and also by seeing Livia being aligned with democracy.