Content Area 2
Ancient Mediterranean
3500-300 CE
Etruscan (3 works); Rome (8 works)
Etruscan Supremacy: 700-509 BCE
Provided link between Greek and Roman Art
KEYWORDS: TERRA-COTTA, TUSCAN COLUMNS, TUMULI
Roman Republican Period: 509-27 BCE
Begins with overthrowing last Etruscan King and ends with Julius
Caesar… Major buildings built more for POLITCAL use than for
WORSHIP
KEYWORDS: TEMPLES, ARA PACIS, HOMAGE TO RULERS
AND ANCESTERS
Early Empire Period: 27 BCE-96 CE
KEYWORDS: WALL PAINTINGS, CONCRETE, ARCH, COLOSSEUM
The High Empire: 96-192 CE
Five Good Emperors (Trajan, Hadrian, etc.) kept things prosperous
and peaceful.
KEYWORDS: COLUMN OF TRAJAN, HADRIAN’S WALL, PANTHEON
The Late Empire: 192-337 CE
Diocletian had Empire divided into four parts.
KEYWORDS: TETRARCHY, ARCH OF CONSTANTINE
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31. Temple of Minerva (Veii, near Rome, Italy) and sculpture of Apollo. Master sculptor Vulca.
c. 510–500 B.C.E. Original temple of wood, mud brick, or tufa (volcanic rock); terra cotta sculpture.
Etruscan Art: Archaic
Period
Apulu (Apollo), from the roof
Painted terracotta (baked
earth), 5’11”H.
31. Temple of
Minerva (Veii, near
Rome, Italy) and
sculpture of Apollo.
Master sculptor
Vulca.
c. 510–500 B.C.E.
29. Sarcophagus of the Spouses. Etruscan. c. 520 B.C.E. ..6’7”L, Painted terracotta.
32. Tomb of the Triclinium. Tarquinia, Italy. Etruscan. c. 480–470
B.C.E. Tufa and fresco.
40. Alexander Mosaic from the House of Faun, Pompeii. Republican Roman. c. 100 B.C.E. Mosaic. 10’3”x19’
Imperial Rome
Octavian Caesar (the great-nephew and adopted
‘son’ of Julius Caesar) became the first Roman
Emperor in 44BC. By 27 BCE, the Senate
conferred him the title ‘Augustus’ (meaning
‘exalted’ or ‘sacred’).
For the next 41 years, Augustus Caesar led the
empire thru a period of peace and prosperity
known as the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace.
The inclusion of Venus’ son, Cupid, is a reminder
of Augustus’ divine descent (related to Goddess
Venus). Hi quirass also depicts
Imperial portraiture as propaganda!
43. Augustus of Prima Porta. Imperial Roman. Early
first
8
century C.E. Marble. EARLY EMPIRE ROMAN
42. Head of a Roman patrician. Republican Roman. c. 75–50
B.C.E. Marble.
39. House of the Vettii. Pompeii, Italy. Imperial Roman. c.
second century B.C.E.; rebuilt c. 62–79 C.E. Cut stone and
fresco.
39. House of the
Vettii. Pompeii, Italy.
Imperial Roman. c.
second century B.C.E.;
rebuilt c. 62–79 C.E.
Cut stone and fresco.
Early Empire Period
The Flavian Dynasty consisted of emperors Vespasian, Titus and Domitian (from 69-96 CE). They were known
for building some of Rome’s most notable monuments. 160’H. 76 entrances.
44. Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater). Rome, Italy. Imperial Roman.
70–80 C.E. Stone and concrete. Imperial ROMAN
45. Forum of Trajan. Rome, Italy. Apollodorus of Damascus. Forum and markets: 106–112 C.E.;
column completed 113 C.E. Brick and concrete (architecture); marble (column). Basilica Ulpia at left.
45. Forum of Trajan. Rome,
Italy. Apollodorus of
Damascus. Forum and
markets: 106–112 C.E.;
column completed 113 C.E.
Brick and concrete
(architecture); marble
(column).
The High Roman Empire
TRAJAN’S COLUMN
Celebration of Victory against the Dacians in a spiral
frieze of low-relief 625’L, Rome, 112 CE. 125’H.
Trajan, a Spaniard, was the first non-Italian emperor.
He was an excellent administrator and soldier and like
Augustus, much loved and given the special title of
Optimus (the Best).
During his rule, Trajan remodeled the Circus Maximus,
built a new bathing complex near the Colosseum, and
his elaborate forum among others.
45. Forum of Trajan. Rome, Italy. Apollodorus of Damascus. Forum and
markets: 106–112 C.E.; column completed 113 C.E. Brick and concrete
(architecture); marble (column).
46. Pantheon. Imperial Roman. 118–125 C.E.
Concrete with stone facing.
47. Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus. Late
Imperial Roman. c. 250 C.E. Marble.