Depictions of Emperors

Question 1

Portrait of Pericles

Answer 1

Sculptor Kresilas made Pericles, a noble man, even nobler. Idealized image in which Pericles appears God like.

Question 2

Head of Alexander the Great

Answer 2

Official portrait sculptor was Lysippos. Features a sharp turn of the head and a thick mane of hair.

Question 3

Portrait of Augustus as imperator

Answer 3

Idealized portrait depicting him as a never aging youth. In his role as a general.

Question 4

Portrait of Vespasian

Answer 4

Veristic tradition of the Republic. Elderly emperor. Underscore the emperor’s contrast to Nero self-indulgence and extravagance.

Question 5

Portrait bust of Hadrian

Answer 5

First roman emperor to wear a beard. Modeled after idealized classical Greek statues. Mature man who never ages.

Question 6

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius

Answer 6

Omnipotent conqueror stretches out his arm in a gesture of clemency. An enemy once cowered beneath the horses raised hoof. Much larger in relation to his horse than any human would be. Weary, saddened, and even worried.

Question 7

Bust of Caracalla

Answer 7

Introduced a new fashion in male coiffure but are more remarkable for the dramatic turn of the emperor’s head and moving characterization of his personality.

Question 8

Portrait bust of Trajan

Answer 8

Short lived soldier emperor depicts an older man with bags under his eyes and a sad expression. Eyes glance away nervously, reflecting the anxiety of an insecure ruler.

Question 9

Heroic portrait of Trebonianus Gallus

Answer 9

Over life size statue, projects an image of brute force. Massive physique of a powerful wrestler in contrast to the lean bodies of Greek athletes and earlier emperors.

Question 10

Portrait of Constatine

Answer 10

Revive Augustan image of a perpetually youthful ruler. Jupiter eyes, overwhelming power. Rarely true likeness. Coin portraits depict him as bearded tetrarch and eternally youthful.