Flavian Building Programme Flashcards
What happened with the Claudian aqueduct under the Flavians?
Vespasian and Titus restored the Claudian aqueduct in AD 71 and 81 respectively.
What was the Temple of Peace?
A temple built by Vespasian in AD 71, equating him with Augustus since it closely parallels the Temple of Mars the Avenger.
What does Suetonius say about the Temple of Peace?
Suetonius, Vespasian 9: The centrepiece of Vespasian’s programme was the Temple of Peace.
What does Josephus say about the Temple of Peace?
The temple of Peace was paid for by the spoils of the Judean campaign and displayed the treasures taken from the Temple in Jerusalem.
Josephus: the structure was “beyond all human expectations”.
What does Pliny the Elder say about the Temple of Peace?
Pliny the Elder: notes the Temple of Peace was one of “the loveliest buildings the world has ever seen”.
What does Dio say about the Temple of Peace?
Dio: The Temple was constructed with a sense of urgency, indicating its centrality to Vespasian’s principate.
What is the Flavian Amphitheatre?
An amphitheatre begun by Vespasian in AD 72 and was a symbolic centrepiece of the Flavian programme to keep Rome’s urban population quietly content.
Domitian offered the greatest scope of games, keeping his reputation with the plebs positive.
What does Martial say about the Flavian Amphitheatre?
On the Shows: Martial even praises the building above the Wonders of the Ancient World.
What does Dio say about the Flavian Amphitheatre?
Dio details 100 days worth of games and spectacles, including innovations introduced by Titus in terms of “bonus prizes” that were thrown to the crowd
What is the Sestertius of Septimius Severus?
Minted AD 201 - 10, on the reverse it shows the Flavian Amphitheatre with runners and wrestlers, showing that 110 years after Domitian’s death, his developments retained their popularity.
What was the Temple of Vespasian?
A temple dedicated to Vespasian and Titus, completed by Domitian in AD 90. This could have been done to associate Domitian with his father’s deification.
What is the Temple of Claudius?
A temple on the Caelian Hill that was rebuilt by Vespasian after it had been started by Agrippina the Younger but was almost entirely destroyed by Nero (Suetonius)
What does Suetonius say about Domitian and his inscribing of buildings?
Suetonius deliberately notes that Domitian “allowed no names to be inscribed on [the buildings he constructed or restored] except his own - not even the original builders”
What does Plutarch say about Domitian and his reasons for his building programme?
Plutarch: someone brought before Domitian might say something like “…and just like the well-known Midas you want all your possessions to be of gold or marble”
What was the Domus Flavia?
An imperial palace built by Domitian that was wholly visible from the Circus Maximus, which was attended by 200 000 Romans.
It included: artificial islands, grand reception rooms, sunken gardens and a miniature circus.
