Gardner’s Art Through the Ages,
12e
Chapter 10-1A
From Seven Hills to Three Continents:
The Art of Ancient Rome
1
The Roman World
2
Goals
• Understand the great innovations of Roman architecture and
how these innovations contributed to the expanse of the Roman
Empire.
• Explore Pompeii for its information about Roman art and
architecture.
• Examine the types, methods, and subject matter of Roman wall
painting.
• Understand what Roman portraiture says about Roman society.
• Understand the political nature of Roman art and architecture,
especially as it communicates ideas of power for the emperor and
empire.
• Examine changes in Roman art and architecture as a result of
expansion of the Roman Empire and the incorporation of the
conquered cultures.
3
Historical & Cultural influences on the transition
from Classical Greek to Hellenistic Greek Art
• Rise of Macedon – after the defeat of Athens in
404 BCE, the Greeks were weakened, and then
overcome by Philip II of Macedon, then
succeeded by Alexander the Great.
• The political upheaval challenged the notion that
rational human beings could impose order on their
environment.
• Refocused on individual rather than the ideal and
on the real world of appearances.
– The gods were humanized.
4
Historical & Cultural influences on the transition
from Classical Greek to Hellenistic Greek Art
• The gods were humanized.
• Nobility in defeat.
5
Historical & Cultural influences on the transition
from Classical Greek to Hellenistic Greek Art
• In Hellenistic Greece the center was not Athens,
but Antioch, Alexandria and Pergamon.
– Much richer, more cosmopolitan culture
emerged after Alexander the Great.
– The 2 Aphrodites
tell the story
• By 2nd cen. BCE the
Greeks are under the
control of the Romans.
6
Architectural Innovations
• Sasanian: Ctesiphon –
Barrel Vault
• Egyptian:
Gizeh – Pyramid
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Architectural Innovations
• Archaic Greece:
Mycenae – Corbel Arch
• Etruscan: Perugia –
Keystone Arch
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Architectural Innovations: ROME
Barrel Vault 
Groin Vault
• Multiple groin
vaults allowed for
clerestories
• The invention of
cement made
possible an
Architecture of Space,
not Mass.
Hemispheric
Dome with
Oculus 
9
Architectural Innovations: ROME
DEFINITIONS:
Barrel vault: The extension of a simple arch creating a semicylindrical ceiling over parallel walls. It requires
buttressing of the walls below the vaults to counteract
their downward and outward thrust.
Groin or cross vault: Formed by the intersection at right
angles of two barrel vaults of equal size. Needs less
buttressing and appears lighter than barrel vaults.
Pseudo-peripteral: A series of engaged columns that run
around the sides and back of the cella to give the
appearance of a peripteral colonnade.
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Temple of Fortunus Virilis
ca. 75 BCE
Etruscan influences?
• The plan—the high podium is
accessible only by the front via
a wide flight of steps.
• Columns are confined to the porch.
Greek influences ?
• The Ionic features—the fluted
columns with bases and the Ionic
frieze.
• It is built of stone overlaid with
stucco in imitation of Greek
marble temples.
Roman element ?
• A series of engaged Ionic half-columns on the sides and
back of the cella (pseudo-peripteral).
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Temple of Vesta, Tivoli
early 1st cen. BCE
• Corinthian columns
• Podium only reachable by
narrow staircase leading to
cella door.
• Used concrete for cella wall.
12
Sanctuary of
Fortuna
Primigenia
late 2nd cen. BCE
1st grandiose
complex symbolic
of Roman power.
• Covered a hillside
• Made possible by
cement and massive
concrete barrel
vaults.
• Terraces led to
central tholos
13
Art of The Republic (509-27 B.C.)
• The role of
Portraits in
society.
– Temples full of
portraits of men
from old &
Gesii funerary relief ca, 30 BCE
distinguished
Certified their status as Roman citizens
Roman families
– Slaves/former
slaves had no
ancestor portraits
as slaves were
property.
14
Art of The Republic (509-27 B.C.)
• Republican Verism: Influenced by
Greeks, Etruscans & Egyptians, but
celebrated their elevated position in
society.
• Thought head was
enough, vs. the
Greeks who
wanted the
whole body.
• Wanted brutal
realism, yet would
put old head on
young body.
15
Caesar Breaks the Rules – 44 BCE
• First live person to appear on a coin
in Roman [before that distinguished
ancestors]
16
The Early Empire (27 B.C. – 98 A.D.)
• Explore Pompeii for its information about Roman
art and architecture.
• Understand the role of the Colosseum and
amphitheater in Roman life.
• Understand the concepts, methods and materials of
Roman house construction and why it is significant.
• Examine the types, methods, and subject matter of
Roman wall painting.
• Understand the development of Roman art and
architecture as the empire expands and develops.
17
Roman Architecture in Pompeii
• August 24, 79 CE Pompeii was buried by the eruption
of Mt. Vesuvius, thus preserving it for us to see.
• Forum: Center of civic life,
usually closed to traffic.
• 2 story colonnades on 3
sides
• “Capitoline”: Temple to
Jupiter, Juno & Minerva.
• Temple faced into the civic
center, not isolated on a hill.
• Standard Republican build
– tufa covered in stucco.
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Roman Architecture in Pompeii
• Earliest amphitheater known. [double theater] ca. 7- BCE
– modeled on Greek.
• Radial barrel vaults form a retaining wall & support the
earthen
mound and the seats.
• Painting : Record of a
brawl between
Pompeians and their
neighbors in 59 CE.
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The Roman House
• Inward looking.
• Had similar elements.
• Were the focus of the social
structure of a Roman city
House of Vetti – rebuilt 62-79 CE
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