Roman Art

The Rising Power of Rome:Origins of Rome Under rule of Etruscan

kings, Rome grew in size and importance.

By end of 6th Century, Rome was the richest and largest city in Italy.

Romans wanted independence, so in 509 B.C. drove out Etruscans and established republic.

The Rising Power of Rome Most of the roman art was copied from

the Greeks It can be said that the Romans became

the heirs of Greek art although they also made important contributions of their own, especially in the development of architecture.

The Roman Republic Surrounded by enemies, Romans forced to

fight for survival. As Rome defended itself, increased republic

size to encompass all of Italy. After defeating their chief rival Carthage,

Rome gained Sicily and became an powerful empire.

At its height of power, Rome controlled lands from Britain to the Mesopotamia.

Greek Influence Much of Roman art was copied from the

Greeks. From early on, affluent Romans admired

all types of Greek art. Large amounts of Greek art was brought

to Rome, including some Greek artists. Romans considered heirs of Greek art,

though they made their own contributions, especially in architecture.

Roman Sculpture and Painting:Portrait Sculpture In sculpture and painting, Roman artwork heavily reflects

earlier influence of Greek artists. Since Rome’s beginning, lifelike sculptures have been

heavily desired. At the time, wax masks were used during funerals and to

honor the dead. However, a more durable building material was needed, as

wax did not last long So, marble and stone became widely used, and artists who

worked with these became highly valued.

Portrait Sculpture Lifelike portrait sculptures can be traced back

to the earliest period of Rome’s history Wax masks of deceased family members were

made to be carried in funeral processions

Man of the Republic Roman portraits create a feeling of looking

at a real person, perhaps someone that may even look familiar.

All Roman portrait sculptures depict real people.

These sculpture use wrinkles and imperfections to express the character of the subject.

Differences Between Greek and Roman Sculpture Many Roman sculptors came from Greece. These artists worked in the altered

traditional Greek style to fit Roman standards.

Greeks preferred idealistic portraits, where Romans preferred realistic portraits.

Romans wanted realism because most of their portraits were intended for private display.

Mural Paintings Many of the mural paintings painted

within homes were of landscapes and pictures of buildings that suggested a world that lay beyond the walls of the room.

Subjects of Mural Paintings Mural- A large painted directly on the wall>Paintings of outdoor areas recreated onto

the wall as if it was really there landscapes- a painting, photograph, or

other works of art that shows natural scenery)

>Pictures of buildings>Paintings of people doing actions (ex pg 194)

~maiden gathering flowers

Mural Paintings

Roman Architecture Many examples of Roman architecture still survive

today, unlike their paintings and sculptures. The Romans designed and built many things to link

and glorify their vast empire: Roads Harbors Aqueducts Sewer Systems Buildings for leisure and business

Romans wanted to become first great builders of the world.

Architecture Temples

Were used by Romans to satisfy their own needs and tastes

Maison Carree: Nimes, France Columns do not surround the structure,

instead only used for the Portico: a structure consisting of a roof

supported by columns or piers, usually attached to a building as a porch

Along the sides and back half-columns are attached to create a decorative pattern

Architecture Temple complex in Palestrina

The route to this temple is called the Appian Way and is lined with the grand villas and tombs of wealthy Roman citizens

The temple became home of the famous oracle (Fortuna- the goddess of good fortune)

Design of the Temple Complex The Temple of Fortuna

Primigenia was part of a large complex which had arches, terraces, and more.

Arches were used to span openings, and barrel vaults to roof large spaces. Barrel Vault- A series

of round arches from front to back that form a tunnel.

However, because of the weight of the ceilings, the walls remained windowless.

Innovations Architecture Aqueduct- a system that carried water

from mountain streams into the cities by gravitational flow.

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=f328e7af-277c-47b7-b3b6-40e6fa2aedce&productcode=US&CFID=117932&CFTOKEN=70614329

Roman Aqueducts Aqueducts show Rome’s practicality in combining

form with function in ancient times. Aqueduct- A system that carried water from

mountain streams into cities by using gravitational flow.

These were designed for efficient transportation of water, using a series of arches, and also happened to be attractive.

Constructed of granite blocks laid without mortar, its sharp angles broke the force of the water.

Eleven were built in Rome, and could range from 10-60 miles in length. Carried around 270 million gallons of water a day.

Innovations Architecture Baths- vast enclosed structures that

contained libraries, lecture rooms, gymnasiums, shops, restaurants, and pleasant walkways

Keystone- top stone of the arch.http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId

=798eaea1-0a85-4bd2-bb75-965ac17fbcf1&productcode=US&CFID=117932&CFTOKEN=70614329

Innovations in Structure The round arch improved on the

structurally weaker post and lintel system. The lintel, if made of stone and expanded

over a large space would break. An arch is made of cut bricks or stones held

together by a keystone. Keystone- Top stone of an arch.

However, a large arch would tend to collapse on itself, so smaller series of arches were instead.

Roman Buildings and Monuments Roman Emperors constantly buildings and

rebuilding the cities of their empire. Emperor Augustus- Claimed he found Rome a

city of brick and stone and left it a city of marble.

As often as possible, bath, amphitheaters, and other monuments were built for the enjoyment of the public.

Emperors did this to maintain their popularity.

Design of the Baths Every large Roman city contained baths. Each contained similar features, included

series of progressively cooler pools of water: The Calidarium- First and contained hot water The Tepidarium- Second and was a warm bath The Frigidarium- Last and had cool water

These different rooms were maintained by slave tended furnaces underneath the building.

The Baths of Caracalla Built in the 3rd Century A.D. by emperor

Caracalla, it is one of the most famous baths ever.

Its sprawled over 30 acres, with a massive bathhouse and a central hall that was 180 feet long and 77 feet wide.

This hall was spanned by concrete groin vaults. Groin Vault- A vault that is formed when two barrel

vaults meet right angles. The use of the groin vaults allowed for

buildings to cover larger areas and windows to be placed in the now unencumbered walls.

Innovations Architecture Groin vault- two barrel vaults meet at

right angles Barrel Vault- a series of round arches

from front to back that form a tunnel

The Baths of Caracalla One of the most famous baths

30 acres and had a bathhouse that measured 750 feet by 380 feet.

A huge central hall over 180 feet long and 77 feet wide was spanned with concrete groin vaults.

The Colosseum Large arena, Covers 6 acres and forms a

complete oval 615 feet by 510 feet. Over the centuries people carried off

large masses of the stone to create new buildings until Pope Benedict XIV put a stop to it

Buildings for Sports Events

Chariot races were by far Romans favorite spectator sport.

Up to 150,000 Romans would gather at Circus Maximus to witness sporting events.

Eventually, 64 days of the year were devoted to chariot races.

The Colosseum's interior 80 arched openings enabled spectators

to enter and leave The “Door of Life” was reserved for

victorious gladiators and the slain gladiators were carried through the “Door of Death”

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=a8282b26-ebdb-42d3-a898-9c0eca19dc5b&productcode=US&CFID=117932&CFTOKEN=70614329

Greek Influences on the Colosseum

Exterior- four stories, constructed of stone, brick, and concrete

Top level- Corinthian pilasters (Flat, rectangular columns attached to a wall)

Between pilasters; small holes Holes places in holes to support

canvassing that protect spectators rain or shine

The Colosseum

Chariot races, armed contests, gladiator contests 5,000 gladiators fought to death and

11,000 animals were killed in a day!!

Innovations in Material: Concrete

The building material that was first used by the Romans and allowed for stability and strength in large buildings

With the advent of concrete, the Romans had a versatile material that was used in the Temple of Fortuna Primigenia.

Rome was first civilization to use concrete to its best capacity.

Concrete and the arch allowed Romans to build on a much larger scale.

Public Buildings and Structures The Pantheon

Designed as a temple to all the roman gods

Illuminating the Pantheon’s Interior Though there are no interior windows,

the Pantheon is still well light. A 30 foot round opening in the dome

provides the only source of light. The light is sharp and bright, and also

allows for the sky to be seen. A raised floor and drainage system

are used to combat any rainfall.

Oculus: Latin for "eye"/ opening in the ceiling of the pantheon

Niches- recesses in the wall

Coffers: Indented panels

Public Buildings and Structures Basilicas

Spacious rectangular building Designed as a court of law and public

meeting hall Served as models for generations of

Christian church builders

Plan of Basilicas

Inside, rows of slender columns divided the space into a nave and two narrower sides. Nave- A long, wide center aisle.

Had a higher roof at the center and therefore could add windows.

Had a side entrance, wooden roofs, and one area called an apse. Apse- Semicircular area at the end of the

nave. Transept- an aisle that cuts directly across the

nave and the side isles in a basilica and forms a cross shaped floor plan

Basilica

Public Buildings and Structures

Triumphal Arches: heavily decorated arch

After an important victory the general and his troops would pass under the arch

The Arch of Constantine was the largest and most elaborate of the arches

The Arch of Constantine

Largest and most elaborate Triumphal Arch.

Decorated with sculptures from other monuments of earlier emperors.

As the monument was dedicated to Constantine, the transferred images had to be altered to resemble Constantine.

Triumphal Arches

Declining Powerhttp://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId

=bf2d7013-e281-4e78-a3f7-8243abd94052&productcode=US&CFID=117932&CFTOKEN=70614329

The Declining Power of Rome Rome’s power began to decline when the

capital was shifted to the city of Byzantium, in the Eastern Roman Empire.

In 330 A.D., the emperor Constantine I renamed the city Constantinople, and this marked the beginning of the Byzantine Empire.

The Western Roman Empire continued to decline, and in 410 A.D., Rome was conquered by the Visigoths.

The Western Roman Empire had ceased to exist by the 5th Century A.D.