Roman Art Flashcards
Early inhabitants of Rome
Villanovians,who lived there from 10 Bc,later the Etruscans developed from their culture by 700 BC.
What made the Romans Successfull
Access to the see made them successful.with the expansion of Roman trade as well as the colonialism
Republican period consisted out of 2 classes
Plebians :majority of the population belonging to the lower class
Patricians:we’re the aristocratis who owned property and political rights
Augustus
Also known as Octavian,He took over power .He had no rivals and ruled with absolute power pretending to acknowledge the Republican form of government.
The imperial Age
During which the leaders of Rome practiced variations of dictatorship.
Religion
-Faith was seen as a practical necessity that contributed to their well being and success and social order.
-took over other traditions of other cultures as long as it didn’t interfere with their original religious beliefs.
Greek gods were very comparable with the Greeks,which is why their myths were incorporated with the Roman beliefs
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What faith was exploited during the Reign of Augustus?
Utilitarian aspect of faith.
What cult was encouraged?
The cult of Roma Deo.
Cult of Roma Deo
- Implied that the emperor was a divine heritage and was therefore a direct link to the spiritual world.
- This cult promoted Augustus and the unification of the Roman Empire.
What happened to the Christians
The Christians refused to worship the Emperor and experienced persecution as a result.
After Christianity was legalised.It took over the empire and is still the dominant religion.
Roma Deo
Is the personified goddess of the city of Rome.
The Ara Pacis Auguste
Meaning:The alter of Augustan peace.
- Shows the Romans utilitarian attitude towards religion
- relief panels
- Erected to mark the return of Augustus to Rome.
- mythological scenes,contemporary events,relationships with Augustus +gods
- Celebrating peace ,prosperity and spiritual renewal after the civil wars.
Architecture and engineering
Was the highest quality and set new standards,while their early art was mostly imitative and utilitarian.
What art forms did the Roman rulers use ?
They used Statues reliefs ,coins or buildings to propagate their power ,success and influence their followers.
The Roman admiration of the Greeks overlapped with which period?.
It overlapped with the Hellenistic period.Many Roman artworks are direct imitations of Greek artists in that period.
What materials were most preservable
Marble statues were preserved than any other material and depicted the rich and influential people.
What was the highest standard for art.
The classical period of Greek art was recognised as the highest standard for art under Augustus.
Augustus of Prima porta
- Most famous images of this leader.
- Name refers to the location where it was discovered,namely the villa belonging to his wife livid.
- Probably created because of Augustus victory over the Parthians.
- Reflects Augustus admiration for authority,ideals of perfection and the calmness of Classical Greece.
- depicted in idealised youthfulness.
- virtue, bravery ,piety and power indicate the political agenda of the inspired work.
Doryphoros of Polykleitos
Idealised youthfulness visible In the head face legs and overall posture.
Detail on Augustus of prima porta’s breastplate.
Relief on his breastplate symbolises his victory
Subject:Diplomatic victory of Romans over the parthians during Augustus’ successful leadership.
Important gods and goddesses are also depicted.
The breastplate reinforces Augustus’ Divinity
Roman public baths
- Public baths were a breakthrough in engineering
- Warm water was supplied from underground hot springs.
- But the water had to be kept warm during the day.
Roman Aqueducts
- The Aquaducts provided drinking water.
- Were connected to indoor sewage systems in order to carry water away from the cities.
- Also supplied water to the bath houses.
The Pantheon
- Shows engineering skills of the Romans
- Building commissioned by Emperor Handrian.
- Built on the site where there was a temple, earlier and like the pantheon ,it was dedicated to all the gods.
- In front of the temple is a traditional rectangular porch with 16 red and black Egyptian Grannite pillars, with bases and capitals of wight Greek marble and a long middle block.
- Middle block and Rotunda were built of brick-faced concrete finished in Marble.
Rotunda
- Combination of a circle ,cylinder and sphere.
- Symbol of mathematical harmony and only possible to errectbecause concrete was available which dried very slowly
The colosseum
- Development of the use of arches vaults and domes,
- Great advantage was that the building was no longer dependent on the pillars for support.
- Relieved the strain of the weight of the roof on the columns in construction
Barrel Vault
Consists of a series of arches next to each other
Cross vault
Formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults
What led to the weakening of the empire in 117 AD
The outbreak of the plague and a succession of incompetent rulers led to the weakening of the Empire.
To exert more control, Diocletian divided the rule of the Empire in two.
