How did the Flavian Dynasty praise and glorify themselves through buildings

Nathaniel Hall

Word Count:1041

Introduction:

The Flavian dynasty consisted of the Emperors Vespasian and his two sons, Titus and Domitian. All three of the emperors dedicated and built marvelous works for the city of Rome to not only glorify the city, but themselves as well. They used their power and money to build some of the most beautiful structures in the world so they could be remembered forever.

Source I:

The Temple of Vespasian was dedicated to the Emperor Vespasian by his son, Emperor Domitian. Domitian wanted to glorify his father and make the Flavian Dynasty live on forever. The ruins of the temple show how large and monumental the temple was. Its size demonstrates the glorification Domitian wishes to give to his family for all of Rome to remember.

Source II:

Senatus populusq(ue) Romanus imp(erator) Tito. . . Quod praeceptis patr(is) consiliisq(ue) et auspiciis gentem Iudaeorum domuit et urbem Hierusolymam, omnibus ante se ducibus regibus gentibus aut frustra petitam aut omnino intem(p)tatam, delevit.

The original inscription on the Arch of Titus before the first destruction dedicates the Arch to the Emperor Titus. The inscription glorifies Titus for his amazing triumphs in Jerusalem and admires his accomplishments. The Arch was dedicated by Emperor Domitian as he was continuing to celebrate his family’s great reign and laud the dynasty for the goal of everlasting fame and honor.I

Source III:I The senate and the people of Rome dedicate this arch to the emperor Titus… Because, with the senate’s advice and counsel and with the auguries, he conquered the nation of the Jews (in AD 70) and destroyed Jerusalem, which all of the generals, kings, and nations before Titus had either failed to do or even to attempt. –Aicher 57.2

Suetonius describes Titus as a selfless Emperor looking to praise the people of Rome. After the Great Fire, Titus wanted to rebuild the city with better buildings and public facilities for the people to use. Suetonius uses Titus’ great care for his people to help admire the Emperor and his great works. The writings magnify the Flavian Dynasty for their greatness as well as their self acclaim. II Source IV:

The Baths of Titus are lauded at by Martial to praise the great works of Emperor Titus. Titus built the baths in his namesake atop the Golden House of Nero to show the people the horrid ruler was gone and the great Flavian Dynasty was in control now. Martial marvels at the building and the significance it holds for the great Emperor and the family’s legacy. III

Source V:

II With regard to the public buildings destroyed by fire in the City, he declared that nobody should be a loser but himself. Accordingly, he applied all the ornaments of his palaces to the decoration of the temples, and purposes of public utility, and appointed several men of the equestrian order to superintend the work. –Alexander Thomas, M.D.III Where now the Sun’s Colossus has its closer view of the starsAnd towering scaffolds loom above the street,The hated entrance halls of that wild king once gleamedAnd a single dwelling stood in all the city.Where now the venerable mass of the Amphitheater risesHigh above Roma, the pond of Nero spread.Where now we gaze in wonder on the sudden Baths of Titus,A haughty estate deprived the people of homes.Where now the Claudian colonnade unfolds its spreading shadeThe furthest part of the palace came to an end.Rome has been restored to Rome, Titus, with you as her defender,And pleasures grabbed by a tyrant return to the people. –Aicher, 68.6

The Lives of the Twelve Caesars; Titus by C. Suetonius Tranquillus

urbis incendio nihil publice nisi perisse testatus , cuncta praetoriorum suorum ornamenta operibus ac templis destinauit praeposuitque compluris ex equestri ordine, quo quaeque maturius peragerentur.II

De Spectaculis II by Martial

Hic ubi sidereus propius videt astra colossus et crescunt media pegmata celsa via, invidiosa feri radiabant atria regis unaque iam tota stabat in urbe domus. hic ubi conspicui venerabilis Amphitheatri erigitur moles, stagna Neronis erant. hic ubi miramur, velocia munera, thermas, abstulerat miseris tecta superbus ager. Claudia diffusas ubi porticus explicat umbras, ultima pars aulae deficientis erat. reddita Roma sibi est et sunt te praeside, Caesar, deliciae populi, quae fuerant domini. III

The Lives of the Twelve Caesars; Domitianus by C. Suetonius Tranquillus

Plurima et amplissima opera incendio absumpta restituit , in quis et Capitolium, quod rursus arserat; sed omnia sub titulo tantum suo ac sine ulla pristini auctoris memoria. IV

Suetonius describes Domitian’s service to his people. He rebuilt many buildings burned down by the fire; however, he rebuilt them more brilliant and more glorious than ever before. Nevertheless, Suetonius writes that Domitian rebuilt all the temples and buildings in his own name, with no mention of the original builders. By doing so, Domitian shows how he was intent on glorifying himself as well as his family name and was looking to be remembered for his great works. IV

Source VI:

This Statue of Domitian was one of many that Domitian and the other Emperors of the Flavian Dynasty created of themselves around the city of Rome. Domitian created these statues to glorify himself and to ensure his image was all across Rome. The statues he created would survive through the empire to make sure his legacy was remembered and his image praised.

Source VII:

IV He rebuilt many noble edifices which had been destroyed by fire, and amongst them the Capitol, which had been burnt down a second time; but all the inscriptions were in his own name, without the least mention of the original founders. –Alexander Thomas, M.D.

Liber De Spectaculis I by Martial

Barbara pyramidum sileat miracula Memphis,     Assyrius iactet nec Babylona labor;nec Triuiae templo molles laudentur Iones,     dissimulet Delon cornibus ara frequens aere nec uacuo pendentia Mausolea                              5     laudibus inmodicis Cares in astra ferant.Omnis Caesareo cedit labor Amphitheatro,     unum pro cunctis fama loquetur opus. V

Martial explains the sheer grandness of the newly built Flavian Amphitheater, which he refers to as Caesar’s Ring. He compares the magnificence of several other ancient wonders of the world and says the fame of the Amphitheater is of those combined. His lauding explanation praises those who built it; the emperors of the Flavian Dynasty, from where it gets its namesake. Started by Vespasian and finished by Titus, it is known as the most notable accomplishment of the era and shows itself how the family will be remembered forever. V

Source VIII:

The Forum of Nerva was started by Domitian in 85 AD but was not finished before he died. However, most of the construction was done under his reign. Domitian wished to connect the Forum of Augustus and the Forum of Vespasian with a grander area bearing his namesake. Despite dying before completion, Domitian managed to create a vast area that could be marveled at by all. As seen in the picture, the structure was tall and sophisticated to represent such a great reign by not only himself but the Flavian Dynasty as well.

Source IX:

V Memphis, forebear anent your pyramidsNor Syriua boast your highrise skyline;Lax Ionians, vaunt not Dian’s Shrine, And may her trophies Phoebus’ Delos hide;Pendant in space the Mausoleum hangs---Let modest Carians play down the fact:O’er mankind’s monuments tow’rs Caesar’s Ring.*The fame of each proclaimed in that of one. –Peter Whigman

Publicola 15.3-4 by Plutarch ὁ δὲ τέταρτος οὗτος ὑπὸ Δομετιανοῦ καὶ συνετελέσθη καὶ καθιερώθη. λέγεται δὲ Ταρκύνιον εἰς τοὺς θεμελίους ἀναλῶσαι λίτρας ἀργυρίου τετρακισμυρίας: τούτου δὲ τοῦ καθ᾽ ἡμᾶς τὸν μέγιστον ἐν Ῥώμῃ τῶν ἰδιωτικῶν πλοῦτον ἐκλογισθέντα τὸ τῆς χρυσώσεως μὴ τελέσαι ἂν ἀνάλωμα, πλέον ἢ δισχιλίων καὶ μυρίων ταλάντων γενόμενον. οἱ δὲ κίονες ἐκ τοῦ Πεντελῆσιν ἐτμήθησαν λίθου, κάλλιστα τῷ πάχει πρὸς τὸ μῆκος ἔχοντες: εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοὺς Ἀθήνησιν. VI

Plutarch describes another magnificent Temple built and dedicated by Domitian during his reign. Domitian restored and restructured the Temple of Jupiter not only in a gift to the gods but also to show his glory and wealth. Plutarch writes that the roof alone is more expensive than any citizen could afford which attributes to how much Domitian is willing to spend to create such wondrous works. Domitian used the best marble around to ensure the building got him the praise he wanted. VI

Source X:

Emperors were often depicted on Denarii during or after their reign as a form of

praise. These coins give Domitian’s great title of emperor as well as show him with the Laurel, which gives him the image of a god. Domitian deified himself during his reign and the coins reinforce his glory. The reverse shows his son just as the naked son of Jupiter would be shown emphasizing his status as a god. Domitian used the Denarii to create his everlasting image as a deity.

Source XI:

VI The fourth and present temple was both built and dedicated by Domitian [in AD 89]… Even the gilding alone of this temple’s roof, costing more than 12,000 talents, is beyond the means of the richest private citizen in Rome today. Its columns were cut from Pentelic marble and were originally of beautiful proportions as I saw for myself in Athens. –Aicher 10.4

Occasional Poems 4.2.5-8; 18-33 by Statius

ast ego cui sacrae Caesar nova gaudia cenae          5nunc primum dominaque dedit consurgere mensa,qua celebrem mea vota lyra, quas solvere gratessufficiam?

…. Tectum augustum, ingens, non centum insigne columnis,sed quantae superos caelumque Atlante remissosustentare queant. stupet hoc vicina Tonantis          20regia, teque pari laetantur sede locatumnumina. nec magnum properes excedere caelum:tanta patet moles effusaeque impetus aulaeliberior, campi multumque amplexus opertiaetheros, et tantum domino minor; ille penates          25implet et ingenti genio iuvat. aemulus illicmons Libys Iliacusque nitet, multa Syeneet Chios et glaucae certantia Doridi saxa;Lunaque portandis tantum suffecta columnis.longa supra species: fessis vix culmina prendas          30visibus auratique putes laquearia caeli.hic cum Romuleos proceres trabeataque Caesaragmina mille simul iussit discumbere mensis VII

Statius was invited to a feast at the great Palace of Domitian as he recounts his journey. He describes the vast brilliance of the building as he dines with the great Emperor. Statius states it is a place more worthy than that of the gods as the praise for Domitian is never ending. His great palace is compared to the heavens and the great structures around the world and how easily it surpasses them in glory and honor. Domitian’s great buildings attributes to his legacy. VII

Source XII:

VII But how shall I, whom Caesar has granted the novel delightsOf dining with divinity at the imperial table, [AD 94]Tune my lyre to match my sense of debt and tenderAdequate gratitude?The hall is sublime and vast: no hundred columns merely,But enough to hold the gods and heaven above the earth,Should Atlas retire. Jupiter in his temple gapesAt your home in awe, Domitian, and the gods rejoiceIn your equal footing. No need for you to hasten to heaven;That structure spreads immense, and the reach of its giant hall,More open than a field and holding in its embraceMore space than the sky, is only outdone by its lord: he fillsThe happy home with his mighty spirit. Here stone competesWith stone, Numidian yellow rivaled by Phrygian purple,Granite from Egypt, blushing marbles, and sea-green stone;White slabs of Luna are relegated to the bases of columns.The ceiling is a distant view, and the eyes must strain to reachIts summit, to glimpse, it seems, the gilded panels of heaven.Such was the setting where Caesar commanded the senatorsOf Rome to sup together with knights at a thousand tables –Aicher 65.4

History 16.10.14 by Ammianus

Pantheum velut regionem teretem speciosa celsitudine fornicatam; elatosque vertices qui scansili suggestu consurgunt, priorum principum imitamenta portantes, et Urbis templum forumque Pacis, et Pompei theatrum et Odeum et Stadium, aliaque inter haec decora urbis aeternae. VIII

Ammianus writes that the Emperor Constantius, while entering the city in AD 357, marveled at the wondrous buildings upon entering Rome. Two of these building were the Odeum and Stadium built and dedicated by Emperor Domitian. Not only does Ammianus’ account show how magnificent and wondrous the structures are, but also the fact that Constantius was amazed by it over 200 years later attributes to the legacy left behind by Emperor Domitian. VIII

Conclusion:

All three Emperors of the Flavian Dynasty built and dedicated outstanding buildings to the city of Rome with the intention of not only helping the city, but also to further their legacy and family’s namesake. The buildings that were built were characterized as more brilliant than those of the gods and were uncommonly matched by later Emperors. The Flavian Dynasty continues its legacy for great praise and adoration for their great works for the city of Rome.

Works Cited:

"Sacred Destinations." Temple of Vespasian. Sacred Destinations, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2013.

VIII the Pantheon, which seems to vault an entire neighborhood with its beautiful, lofty dome; the columns inside of which one can climb to platforms that hold statues of former emperors; The Temple of Rome, he Forum of Peace, the Theater of Pompey, the Odeum, and the Stadium, among other marvels of the Eternal City. –Aicher 89.3

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