Roman Portraiture Flashcards
When did Caesar Augustus reign from?
27BC - 14AD
When was the battle of Actium?
31 BC
What is the Primaporta Augustus based off of?
Doryphorus, 5th century BC Greece, by Polykleitos
How tall is the Primaporta?
2.08m
What is the significance of the support on the Primaporta?
Cupid = Venus son = half brother of Aeneas = Augustus is descended from Aeneas
What is on AUgustus’ breastplate?
Top (L-R): Helios in a chariot, Caelus spreading mantle, Dawn riding on a winged female figure.
Centre: Two seated women (l/r), Parthian returns legionary standard in 20 BC
Bottom (L-R): Apollo riding a griffin, Tellus with cornucopia and babies, Diana riding a stag.
What is Augustus wearing in the Via Labicana statue?
Toga
What does the position of his hand indicate Augustus is holding in the Via Labicana statue?
Paterae (act of giving a sacrifice).
When did Caligula reign?
37-41 AD
When was the statue of Caligula made?
42-43AD
When did Claudius reign?
41-54AD
How tall is the statue of Claudius?
2.54
What is the eagle on Claudius’ statue a symbol of?
Jupiter, Rome
What demonstrates Claudius’ religious pietas?
Oak wreath and paterae
Why would Claudius return to a republican art style?
To reassure his audience that he would not be like Caligula
When was Messalina statue created?
45AD
Why was Messalina killed? How else was she punished?
Committed bigamy in 48AD after marrying Claudius ten years prior. She was sentenced to Damnatio Memoriae.
What is the statue of Messalina based on?
Greek sculpture Eirene and Ploutos (Peace and wealth)
What is the Latin term for female sexual modesty?
Pudicita
What is the clothing Messalina wears called?
Tunica and palla
When did Nero reign from?
54-68AD
Where was the portrait of Nero and Agrippina found?
Sebastian, in Aphrodisias, built first century CE. Alongside Greek heroes.
What is the symbolism in the Nero and Agrippina portrait?
Agrippina crowning Nero with laurel wreath. Nero has helmet next to him. Herculean knot. Fruit bowl next to Agrippina. Augustan features.
When was the portrait of Vespasian built?
70-79
When did Vespasian reign from? What dynasty was he from? How was this significant?
69-79. Flavian dynasty. First emperor from the equestrian class.
Where did Vespasian build the Flavian Amphitheatre? How was it funded?
Where Nero had planned to build the Domus Aurea. Funded by him personally.
What art style is Vespasian’s portrait in?
Verism
What is the technique used to make Vespasian look older? What period of a time is this a reference to?
Chiaroscuro
Republican art
When was the statue of Trajan built?
110AD
When did Trajan reign? What was his dynasty?
98-117 AD. Adoptive.
What was Trajan nicknamed? Where was he born? What is he best known for?
Optimus princeps. Spain. ROme is biggest under his rule.
When did Trajan conquer Dacia?
101-2
105-6
What is the style of art Trajan’s statue is in?
Realism