Transcript Roman Art
What are similarities and
differences between Greek and
Roman art?
Key Term:
Rome- Italy’s
capital, is a city
with nearly 3,000
years of globally
influential art,
architecture and
culture on display.
Key Term:
Roman- of or
relating to
ancient Rome
or its empire or
people.
200 B.C.E to 400 A.C.E.
The Roman Empire stretched
from England to Egypt; Spain to
Russia.
It was ruled by an emperor.
Roman culture was a mixture of
older cultures (primarily Greek).
Romans spread this cultural mix
to the places they conquered.
Art was heavily influenced
by Greek art.
Roman art is less religious
and less idealized than
Greek art.
It was more
commemorative (made to
memorialize)
Purpose of Roman art:
To celebrate and show
off the power and might
of the emperor and
empire.
To create a record of
Roman history.
Sculpture showed realistic
depictions of Roman leaders.
Influenced by wax death
masks used for
memorializing the deceased.
Designed to be seen in
public places all over the
empire.
How does this
sculpture show the
power of the emperor?
Why would you want to
spread sculptures
around the empire?
A popular way to show the
emperor’s might and his
image was through the use
of coins.
Coins were spread around
the empire.
New coins were made every
time a new emperor was
appointed.
Roman sculpture is less
idealized than Greek
sculpture (not obsessed
with perfect beauty)
Showed the true looks of
their subject- including
their imperfections.
Roman relief sculptures are
shallow, 3-dimensional carvings
on flat surfaces.
Showed off the skill of the
artists with many intricate
carvings and figures.
Most reliefs are on architectural
works and have subject matters
of battles or hunts.
Key Term:
Relief- a sculptural
technique, meaning ‘to
raise’.
To create a sculpture in
relief is to give the
impression that the
sculpted material has
been raised above the
background plane.
Built in 113 A.C.E. in Rome.
Made of marble.
Made to commemorate
Trajan’s battle victories.
Height of the column and
relief sculptures symbolize
the ‘height of success and
accomplishment’ of the
emperor Trajan.
What art history period had the biggest
influence on Roman architecture?
What parts of this
building show
Greek architectural
influences?
Most are massive public
buildings like courts, stadiums,
and palaces to proclaim the
power and riches of the Roman
Empire.
Other types of architecture
include baths, aqueducts, and
bridges.
Their architectural style was
spread through the empire.
Romans incorporated Greek
pediments and columns into
their architecture.
They also popularized the use of
the arch, dome, and vault.
These three architectural
features were made possible
through the Roman invention of
concrete.
Key Term:
Arch- structure that
spans a wide space
that is open
underneath.
Used for bridges,
aqueducts, and
triumphal arches.
Key Term:
Vault- A series of
arches used to
create an open space
with a rounded
ceiling.
Used for hallways,
sewers, and tunnels.
Key Term:
Dome- Architectural
element that
resembles the
hollow upper talk of
a sphere.
Used for massive
public buildings.
Built in Rome, 70
B.C.E.
Made of concrete
It was an
amphitheater used
for gladiatorial
battles, mock sea
battles, executions,
and plays.
It was constructed with
multiple series of arches
and vaults.
There are a hidden series
of networks and tunnels
underneath the floor to
hold animals and
gladiators.
Built in Rome in 126
A.C.E.
Made of granite
It was a temple to all the
Roman gods.
Huge Corinthian columns
supporting a pediment.
There is a domed central
area behind the columns
and pediments.
It’s the world’s largest
free standing dome.
The skylight functions as
a heating, cooling, and
lighting system.
Key Term:
Mosaic-a picture or
pattern produced by
arranging together
small colored pieces
of materials, such as
stone, tile, paper, or
glass.
Video-Roman Art History-Goodbye Art Academy