Rome High and Late Empires

 Colosseum  
Read this article and look at the 360 degree tour.

THE HIGH EMPIRE
    "In the second century A.D., under Trajan, Hadrian, and the Antonines, the Roman Empire reached its          greatest geographical extent and the summit of its power.  Rome's might and influence were unchallenged in the Western world, although pressure was constantly being applied by the Germanic peoples in the north, the Berbers in the south, and the Parthaians and resurgent Persians in the east.  Within the secure boundaries on the empire, the Pax Romana produced an unprecedented prosperity for all those who came under Roman rule." 
- Gardner's Art Through the Ages 10th Edition
   

TORI-  Create a response describing (in your own words) the forum in Rome commissioned by Trajan.


TAYLOR- Create a response describing (in your own words) the Arch of Trajan.


JOHN-  Create a response describing (in your own words) the Pantheon.


SAMANTHA-  Create a response describing (in your own words) Ostia, Rome's harbor city. 

JARED-  Create a response describing (in your own words) the Antonines the family of Emperors and their influence on Roman art.

THE LATE EMPIRE

Rome was in decline Pax Romana was coming to an end.  Order was becoming one and more difficult to maintain on the frontiers.  The Antonine dynasty ended with the assassination of Marcus Aurelius's son Commodus.  the economy was declining, and the bureaucracy was disentigrating.  The official state religion was being challenged by Eastern cults and Christianity.  This pivotal historical era leads the world into the Christian Middle Ages. 

The Baths of Caracalla in Rome was a huge bathing complex built by the Severans.  This complex was built with imperial funds to win the favor of the public.  The baths were huge especially in comparison to others throughout the Roman Empire.  The concrete walls were up to 140' tall and were covered by barrel vaults, groin vaults and domical vaults.  The complex covered almost 50 acres (that's like 50 football fields!).  In these baths were landscaped gardens, lecture halls, libraries, a giant swimming pool, and workout spaces.  In one of these workout spaces a 10 1/2' tall copy of the Greek statue of Herakles stood, presumably to inspire Romans to exercise vigorously.  It was Roman practice to take a dip in the cold pool, the warm pool and then the hot pool.  Water was supplied to the baths by a branch of one of the city's major aqueducts.  The central heating was supplied by furnaces taht circulted the hot air through hollow walls and floors. It is estimated that 1,600 (every student at NHS) bathers could be accomodated in the baths of Caracalla. 
Baths

The Severan Dynasty ends and is followed with the tumult of soldiers declaring their general as emperor only to have him murdered by another general a few years or just a few months later.  In 238 co-emperors chosen by the senate were dragged from the imperial palace and murdered in public after ruling for only 3 months.  During this crazy time these emperors did not have time to initiate architectural projects so significant building came to a stop.  During this time a wall was built for the capitol a sign of the decay of Roman power. 

During the third century as architects were going hungry sculptos and engravers were prospering.  They were busy creating great quantities of coins, of lesser metals, so that Roman soldiers could be paid in coins reflecting the current Emperor.  Also, portrait statues and busts were set up everywhere to display the power of the new ruler. 

Third century A.D. portrait busts are known for their truthful likenesses of their subject matter as well as the emotional content.

In 284 A.D. Diocletian (named Emporer by his troops) decide the way to restore order to Rome was to share the power.  He established the tetrarchy (ruled by four).  He was Augustus of the East, there was an Augustus of the west and then two Caesars.  The two Caesars were married to the daughters of the Augusti, thus sealing their allegiance.  They ruled without problem until Diocletian's retirement in 305.  When this all fell apart the division of the empire into East and West survived and would last through the Middle Ages setting the papacy of the Latin West (Christian) apart from the Byzantine Empire of the East.

After the tetrarcy the next ruler of Rome (after a period of conflict) Constantine emerged as the sole ruler of Rome.  He gave credit for his victory to the God of the Christians and eventually issued the Edict of Milan which ended the persecution of Christians.  Constantine , shortly after defeating Licinius who had been his co-ruler, founded "new Rome" on the site of Byzantium and called it Constantinople (the city od Constantine).  The transfer of power from Rome to Constantinople and the establishment of Christianity as the official religion marks the begionning of the Middle Ages.
Constantine  This portrait bust is 8' 6" tall!
 For FUN! NOT required- just silly.

 Check out this site and several short blurbs on Later Roman Empire ArchitectureLate Roman Architecture


Ancient Rome was a colorful place.  Often our current impression  is informed by what we see in history books but the reality of the time would have been many buildings most portrait busts, an statues would have been painted bright colors. 

ROMAN ART I

The Roman Empire spanned from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to the Thames and the Danube to the Nile. This entire expansive area was ruled by one government.  In this empire lived people of different races, creeds, tongues, and cultures.  Because of this diversity the ancient Roman Empire most resembles the make up of  the current United States of America.  The Roman government, arts and politics are the basis for modern cultures and worlds. 

Ancient Roman architecture still stands and is used to support modern buildings today.  Some Roman aqueducts still carry water to modern towns, ships still dock at Roman ports and the European highway system still closely follows the Roman road system. 

READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE AND LOOK AT THE LINKS

Article- Roman Roads

Tabel of Peutinger

Roman Road Map

What was the ancient name for the area of modern Spain and Portugal?

What is the name for the ancient scroll depicting a "map of the world?"

What were Roman rest houses used for? 

How were they noted on the "map of the world?"

What was described by Tassan as, "a real treasure?"

In feet, What is the standard width of a Roman chariot axle?

What is one hypothesis  about what happened to the aqueduct that supplied water to Arles?


Romans during the "Republican style" were very eclectic in stylization of architecture and art.  They incorporated elements from the different  peoples they conquered.  The Roman general Marcellus conquered the Greek city of Syracuse.  Syracuse was very wealth and Marcellus   brought back not only the typical spoils of war but also the "artistic patrimony" of the city.  Thus igniting the demand of Greek art.  Roman plundered Greek art weighing down sips with as many pieces as possible.  If an original could not be had a copy was commissioned.  The Romans who were previously fighters or farmers now began developing opinions about art and artists. 

The Romans borrowed from both the Etruscans and Greeks when creating their own Republican style of architecture.  Using the Temple of "Fortuna Virilis" as a visual guide EXPLAIN three traditionally Etruscan architectural features and two traditionally Greek architectural features borrowed by the Romans to build this Republican style temple.  If you are struggling with this use an art history book.  I recommend Gardner's Art Through The Ages.
 Fortuna Virilis

The Romans invented concrete a HUGE invention I don't need to draw ties to current usage of concrete for you- yes it's the same stuff!  Romans were able to use concrete as a much less expensive alternative to even local stone.  Concrete enabled the Romans to create architectural elements that are not possible with masonry construction (stone).  Roman architects were able to create domes and vaults without internal supports.  Romans developed a taste for these curved elements over the Greek and Etruscan post-and-lintel structures. 

Roman Vaulting Systems

The Romans were very proud of thier lineage.  Romans celebrated their blood lines by having sculptural portratis created.  These imagines were stored in wooden cabinets in the homes of elevated Romans.  These sculptures were paraded at the funerals of prominent relatives.  The artists commissioned to create these likenesses were NOT asked to make their patrons look more noble than they were.  Artists were asked to painstakingly record imperfections and the realistic look of their patrons.  However, it is not uncommon for realistic heads to be found on perfect youthful bodies.  Romans were the first to put the portraits of powerful rulers on coins.  The Greeks used images of powerful gods for their coins.  Julius Caesar was the first to place his own likeness on a coin shortly before his assassination.  The Denarius (coin) also declared his new title dictator perpetuus (dictator for life).

One reason we know so much about everyday life in Rome is because of the city of Pompeii.
         What was the population of Pompeii in A.D. 62 when an earthquake shook the city?

        What happened 17 years later?  

         What are some details about everyday life still in place in Pompeii?

        List 2 public buildings still in tact in Pompeii.

What is a major structural difference between a Greek and Roman outdoor theatre?  hint: amphitheter Again, If you need, an art history book is a great source of information.

What is a velarium?  How does this word apply to Roman amphitheaters?

What event ended the 13 year civil war which erupted when Julius Caesar was murdered?  How was this new ruler related to Julius Caesar?

Augustus was recognized as princeps (first citizen), imperator (commander in chief root of emperor) and later pintifex maximus (chief priest).  These titles gave Augustus control of all aspects of Roman public life.  Augusts brought 2 centuries of peace to Roman life; the Pax Romana.  When Augustus (then Octavian) inherited Caesar's fortune he was less than 19 years old.   Other victories sealed Octavian's power.  No longer was Rome ruled by elders. Now artists were called upon to create images of a young leader.  Augustus was following Caesar who had made himself a god before his death.  So not only was Augustus young he was the son of a god.  He marketed himself a son of a god widely and throughout his reign never aged.  Augustus's wife had the same youthful privilege.  Her hair was always represented in the latest style but she also never aged.  Guess I married wrong ;) Think about how this tactic is used today... have you seen any billboards for Branson performers?!!  Were any of those pictures taken in the last 30 years?   Think Hollywood.

All monuments and works of civic improvement were boldly credited to Augustus.  His portrait and/or arches recounting his good deeds were erected throughout Rome reminding the Roman people of their great and generous leader.  These items were not created as a historical record but for propaganda.

There is more Rome to come!  This is an important chapter and the information has far reaching effects (so it's important).  Dividing this chapter will throw off our schedule but we'll do the best we can.

ETRUSCAN ART

POST BY 5:00 FEBRUARY 17

"The Etruscans as everyone knows, were the people who occupied the middle of Italy in early Roman days, and whom the Romans, in their usual neighbourly fashion, wiped out entirely." D. H. Lawrence

The origins of the Etruscan people is unclear.

The Etruscans lived in an area whit great natural resources.  Iron,. tin, copper and silver were all mined in Etruria.  The Etruscans were also masters of the sea.  The agrarian economy of early times was replaced by international commerce.  The Etruscans themselves became wealthy and appreciated luxury items as well as used Eastern motifs.  Local craftsmen were inspired by these imports. They did not copy them though they created their own versions in Etruscan style.

At the end of the 7th century Etruscan artists created the first known example of monumental statuary.  The Centaur, from Vulci.  The centaur is a Greek inspired monster. It was placed at the necropolis in Vulci presumably as a tomb guardian.  Art historians think that the inspiration for this work may have come from Greek vase paintings.  The style of the man portion of the centaur is Greek inspired.  The left leg is engaged and the hair and face are also of the early Daedalic style.  However, the placement of the centaur as a tomb guardian is "un-Greek."

Etruscan Temple
Etruscan temples were superficially similar to Greek temples.  The Etruscans used wood and mud brick to build their temples so today only the foundations remain.  Temples typically had a gabled roof.  They also stood high on a podium.  Columns were used only in the front of the building and stairs came only to the front.  Unlike Greek temples which had stairs on all sides and the front and back of the temple were identical.  Etruscan columns resembled Greek Doric columns but they were made of wood and were not fluted and had bases.  Along the roof were terracotta statues.  Apollo

The Greeks did not create large funerary items like tombs and sarcophagi.  One example of an Etruscan sarcophagus is the reclining couple from Cerveteri.  Contrary to the Greeks where the men dined on couches this sarcophagus clearly shows a man and his wife dining together.  Aristotle noted that Etruscan men and women dined together  and women enjoyed freedoms not known to Greek women.  Etruscan women often kept their own names and were allowed to legally own property independent of their husbands.  As is part of the current Italian culture, the Etruscans used gestures with their speech  and represented this animation in their statues.  The Etruscans built great tombs.  The tomb architecture consisted of multiple chambers very similar to their homes.  The tombs were arranged in the cemeteries in orderly rows with a network of streets creating a necropolis or city of the dead.  The tombs were cut into the bedrock and decorated just as a home would be with bright paint and creature comforts.  The most elaborate tomb at Cerveteri is the tomb of the reliefs.  It was built to house several generations of the same family but the bedrock walls and pillars were covered with stucco relief.

In 509 B.C. the Roams who had been ruled by the Etruscans revolted and threw out the last Etruscan king.  They replaced the monarch y with a republican form of government.  Shortly after this the Etruscan fleet was defeated and this destroyed the Etruscans rule of the sea.  This defeat also marked the end of Etruscan prosperity.  Rome began conquering Etruscan territories.  The taking of Etruscan strongholds marked the end of Etruscan tombs and effected the quality of Etruscan furnishings.  Etruscan art did not cease though.  Impressive works were still produced just fewer in number.

Today's symbol of Rome The Capitoline Wolf was created by an Etruscan artist.  It is a she-wolf (hollow-cast bronze) who according to legend nursed the heroes of Rome, Romulus and Remus after they were abandoned as infants.The Roman style of art had not yet developed.  Romulus and Remus were Renaissance additions.

In Hellenistic Etruria the Porta Marzia is a precursor to the Roman practice of erecting triumphal arches.
Porta Marzia  We can see Greek inspired motifs.  The pilasters, and arches bracketed by engaged columns.  These Greek elements are still seen in architecture.

One more Etruscan masterpiece is Aule Metele or Arringatore, Orator He is portrayed as a magistrate raising an arm to address an assembly (hence the title).He is cast in bronze.  Reply MLITB to Mrs. Lubinski as your assingment this week.  Be sure you read all of this becasue you will be held resonsible for it later! At about the time Arringatore was produced by an Etruscan the Romans conferred citizenship upon all inhabitants of Italy.  Aule Metele is his Etruscan name and the names of his father and mother are inscribed on the hem of his Roman style toga and boots.  He is Etruscan in name only.  He became Roman and all Etruscan art became Roman art.

Ancient Greece

POST BY 5 P.M. FEBRUARY 10 


CLAIM A PERIOD
Post YOUR CLAIM SO EVERYONE IN THE CLASS CAN CLAIM SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

- Geometric and Orientalizing Period
- Archaic Period
- Early and High Classical Periods
- Late Classical
- HEllenistic Period

SEE ME A.S.A.P. FOR YOUR POSTING GUIDE.

Read the article about the Parthenon posted at the bottom of this post.

		1200 BC	The Trojan War and the destruction of Troy (Ilium)
	1050 BC	1050-750 BC: The Dark Ages of Greece and the fall of the Mycenean culture
	850 BC	850 - 700 BC: Development of the first Greek Alphabet
	776 BC	The First Olympic Games are staged
	750 BC	750 -700 BC: Homer writes the Iliad and the Odyssey
	730 BC	730-710 BC - the First Messenian War and the Spartans conquer southwest Peloponnesia
	650 BC	The Rise of the Greek tyrants
	621 BC	Draco's code of law is introduced
	600 BC	Greek Coin currency introduced
	500 BC	500-323 BC - The Greek Classical Period
	505 BC	Cleisthenes introduces democracy in Athens
	490 BC	Greek / Persian Wars led by Xerxes
	468 BC	Sophocles writes his first tragedy
	461 BC	461-446 BC: The Peloponnesian Wars begins between Sparta and Athens
	449 BC	449 -432: Construction of the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Athens
	441 BC	Euripides writes his first tragedy
	443 BC	443 - 429 BC Pericles leads Athens
	430 BC	Outbreak of Bubonic Plague in Athens
	431 BC	Second of the Peloponnesian Wars between Sparta and Athens
	420 BC	420 - 410: Construction of Temple of Athena Nike
	399 BC	Socrates is executed for his opposition to the Thirty Tyrants
	386 BC	Plato founds the Academy
	384 BC	Aristotle is born
	359 BC	Philip II becomes the king of the Greeks
	356 BC	Alexander the Great, son of King Philip II, is born
	333 BC	Alexander the Great defeats the Persians at Issus and is given Egypt by the Persian Satrap where he builds a capital at Alexandria and founds the great library
	323 BC	Alexander the Great dies at Babylon
	323 BC	323 -31 BC: The Hellenistic Period
	224 BC	Earthquake destroys the Colossus of Rhodes
	200 BC	200 - 196 BC: First Roman victory over Greece
	197 BC	King Philip V of Greece loses to Roman forces at Kynoskephalai
	86 BC	The Roman General Sulla captures Athens

Parthenon Link