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.
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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