APAH: Roman Art – Early Empire

Octavian – Augustus “Pax Romana” – 150 years of peace Ease of travel, spread of ideas, construction & expansion Glory of Rome (pop. 1M) Greatest geographical extent [map]

Imperial design – architecture/city-planning/urbanization Power of Rome Construction by government Promoted loyalty

Roads (all roads lead to Rome) Communication, administration Apartments – insulae (45,000 in Rome) 5-story Stores on ground floor Some private toilets Public baths (w/ hot water) Public toilets Aqueducts Water-supplies Pont du Gard Supplied Nimes, France – 30 miles away 100 gallons h2o/person/day

Architecture Barrel vaulting Half-cylindrical roof – deep arch Cross-barrel vaulting Intersection of two, barrel vaults Groin vault Cross-barrel vaulting of same height (successive) Pressure exerted at groin lines

Colosseum – Flavian Amphitheater (70-80 AD) While the Colosseum stands, Rome stands; When the Colosseum falls, Rome falls; Theater – spectacles And when Rome, the world! Gladiatorial combat Opened in 80 AD with naval battle 50,000 seats Technical ingenuity Block & tackle Awning shades Entrances permit quick exit/entrance (gate number) Combines Roman arch/vault w/ Greek order & post/lintel Ascending orders: Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian Roman arch order Covered concrete in travertine

Forum Built by succeeding emperors Sign of care for Empire Building for the public Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Traianus) Height of Roman Empire Trajan’s Forum Completed in 112 AD Largest fora Architect Apollodorus of Damascus Latin / Greek libraries Exotic stone and gilding Expensive Shrine to Trajan (Cult of Emperor) Built on tribute of conquered Dacians Basilica Ulpia Bronze gilded roof Trajan’s Market Shopping mall Column of Trajan 128’ high Marked Trajan’s mausoleum Records campaigns against the Dacians 150 episodes 625’ long Increases in width with height Viewed from library balconies

Pantheon 125 AD (Rededicated in 609 as Christian church) Built by Hadrian – site of earlier temple by Agrippa Connection to earlier emperors Monumental scale/simplicity Architecture of Space Feeling of space 144’ dome Creates perfect sphere 30’ oculus

Engineering marvel Largest domed structure since Beehive tombs Oculus relieves weight for the dome Allows light / Water drains off curved floor Use of pumice concrete at top to reduce weight Use of coffers in the ceiling to reduce weight Painted blue w/ gilded rosettes – heavens

Sculpture (& Monumental Reliefs) Adoption of Greek styles

Augustus of Primaporta (c. 20 BC) Marble copy of bronze original Probably Greek artist Compare to Polykleitos – Doryphorus Lysippos – Head of Alexander Orator’s gesture Governs by reason and persuasion Idealism – turns away from veristic forms Forever young Consistent with new role Breastplate – Roman Return of Roman standards from Parthians Restoring Rome’s honor Surrounded by images of gods

Ara Pacis Augustae Altar of the Augustan Peace 9 BC Commemorate the pacification of Spain and Gaul Tellus Relief Roman earth mother, Tellus Personification of the elements Greek poses Procession Emperor leading procession Followed by family and senators, priests, magistrates Distance signified by level of relief Some idealize forms with realism Note clinging child Reference to panathenaic procession More Greek references

Arch of Titus City-gate moved to center of city for triumphal entries 81 AD Attic Represents conquest of Jerusalem (70 AD) Illusion of movement Historically accurate