Archaeology as Propaganda:
Mussolini and the Myth of Romanità
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Relationship between archaeology and nationalism
Artifacts are “culturally satisfying” and fuel national
identity
Especially true for totalitarian governments that depend
on unity
Case Study: Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini
Used ancient Roman monuments to reconstruct Italian
identity and prop up his own power
Urban consequences
Building a National Identity
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Other European nation-states in 19th and early 20th centuries
using archaeology for political agendas
– Napoleon in France
– British Museum
– Nazi prehistoric archaeology
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Even before Mussolini, Italy starting to construct collective
memory on ancient Roman past
– Risorgimento chose Rome as new capital
– Saw prospect of unification in romanità
– Started to clear space for thoroughfares, Roman monuments,
Forum
– Oversimplification of past beginning to take root in mind of
Italians
Mussolini and the “Healing Pick”
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Shaped classical Rome that is today
Projects intended to rid ancient monuments of “centuries
of decadence”
Demolition projects manipulate Rome’s history,
disproportionately emphasize antiquity
Mussolini’s regime controls through both force and visual
propaganda
Link between glorious Roman past and fascist future,
places fascism in Italy’s destiny
Likened Mussolini with greatness of Augustus
“Rome is our point of departure and reference; it
is our symbol or, if you wish, our myth. We
dream of a Roman Italy, that is wise and
strong, disciplined and imperial. Much of
what was the immortal spirit of Rome,
resurges in Fascism: Rome is the Lictor,
Roman is our organization of combat, Roman
is our pride and courage.”
Mussolini, “Past and Future” speech at
Birthday of Rome celebration, 1922
Mausoleum of Augustus (1938)
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“Preservation by isolation”
Demolished all post-Roman urban fabric surrounding the
mausoleum
Renovated tomb to serve as temple to fascist values
Parade Route of Via dell’Impero
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Carved path from Palazzo Venezia to Colosseum
Ancient ruins to provide backdrop for fascist military
celebrations
In the process, destroyed 5000 housing units, 214,000
cubic feet of earth removed
Few records kept, excavations done haphazardly
Seductive link between ancient military glory and current
fascist ideals
Other propagandizing acts:
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Mostra Augustea della Romanita (Augustan Exhibition of
Roman Civilization)
Museum of the Empire
Planned Esposizione Universal Romana (1942)
Urban Consequences
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Selective preservation, dishonest to archaeological record
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Ignores Rome’s rich urban fabric
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Almost no dissent from academic world
In scholars’ best interests to align with regime
Early Christian period (churches)
Middle Ages’ residential settlement
Renaissance and Catholic Reformation
Papal government’s railway stations and factories
Sets up ancient Rome as urban utopia