Roman art served as a demonstration of power from 753 BCE to 410 CE. Roman architecture was revolutionary due to their understanding of the arch, vault and concrete, which allowed them to build monumental structures like aqueducts, temples, arenas and basilicas. While greatly admiring Greek art, Roman art had no unique style but was diverse and incorporated influences from territories across the Roman Empire. Wealthy patrons and the government sponsored art that proclaimed their glory.

1. Roman Art
Art as demonstration of power
Art as demonstration of power

4. Time period: 753 BCE – 410 CE
So in other words…
8th century BCE – 5th century CE
(We’re finally in the Common Era!)

5. New Vocabulary (to help you review)
• Aqueduct: an overground water system
• Ashlar masonry: carefully cut and grooved stones that support a building
without the use of concrete or other kinds of masonry
• Atrium (plural: atria): a courtyard in a Roman house or before a Christian church
• Basilica: in Roman architecture, a large axially planned building with a nave, side
aisles, and apses
• Bust: a sculpture depicting a head, neck, and upper chest of a figure
• Coffer: in architecture, a sunken panel in a ceiling
• Cubiculum (plural: cubicula): a Roman bedroom flanking an atrium; in Early
Christian art, a mortuary chapel in a catacomb
• Cupola: a small dome rising over the roof of a building; in architecture, a cupola
is achieved by rotating an arch on its axis
• Encaustic: an ancient method of painting that uses colored waxes burned into a
wooden surface
• Foreshortening: a visual effect in which an object is shortened and turned deeper
into the picture plane to give the effect of receding into space
• Forum (plural: fora): a public square or market place in a Roman city
• Fresco: a painting technique that involves applying water-based paint onto a
freshly plastered wall. The paint forms a bond with the plaster that is durable and
long lasting

6. New vocabulary continued…
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Impluvium: a rectangular basin in a Roman house that is placed in the open-air
atrium in order to collect rain water
Keystone: the center stone of an arch that holds the others in place
Oculus: a circular window in a church, or a round opening at the top of a dome
Peristyle: an atrium surrounded by columns in a Roman house
Perspective: depth and recession in a painting or relief sculpture. Objects shown
in linear perspective achieve a three-dimensionality in the two-dimensional
surface of the picture plane. All lines, called orthogonals, draw the viewer back
in space to a common point (vanishing point). Sometimes there are multiple
vanishing points. Landscapes that give the illusion of distance are in
atmospheric or aerial perspective.
Pier: a vertical support that holds up an arch or vault
Spandrel: a triangular space enclosed by the curves of arches
Vault: a roof constructed with arches. When an arch is extended into space,
forming a tunnel, it is called a barrel vault. When two barrel vaults intersect at
right angles, it’s called a groin vault.
Veristic: sculptures from the Roman Republic characterized by extreme realism
of facial features

7. KEY IDEAS ABOUT ROMAN ART
• It reflects the ambitions of a powerful empire
• Monumental buildings and sculptures reflect glory of gods and state
• Architecture is revolutionary! – understood powers of arch, vault,
and concrete
• Pompeiian villas- give us a history of Roman painting
• It shows an interest in the basic elements of perspective and
foreshortening
• The sculpture is greatly influenced by Greek models

8. Does Rome have a unique characteristic style of art?
•Huge admiration for Greek art- had Greek art copied, original Roman art done in
Greek style, many Roman artists were Greek in origin
•Roman authors uninterested in art of their own time- never developed literature on
the theory, history or criticism of art like the Greeks
•We hear very little of specific artists who enjoyed individual fame
•Probably looked upon their own time as a decline in art compared to Greece
•Great majority of Roman art is unsigned- could have come from anywhere in
Roman domain•Roman society very tolerant of alien traditions (if they did not threaten the security
of the state)
•Religion was not forced - many traditions of Etruscan, Near East, and Egyptians
were absorbed into Roman culture- therefore Roman style is not consistentemergent styles existing side by side

9. To understand Roman art, we need to know the historical CONTEXT:
•Rome rose to glory by diplomacy and military strength
•Roman influence is still around (literature, art, law, etc.)
•Rome was established by Romulus and Remus (a legend)
•Rome was first ruled by kings and then replaced by a senate (an
elected body of privileged Roman men)
•Established a sort of democracy
•Increased their fortunes and expanded their boundaries through war
•Obsessed with Greek art
•Because of the city of Pompeii, we know more about daily life in
ancient Rome than we know about any other civilization in history

10. PATRONAGE and ARTISTIC LIFE in ancient Rome:
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Roman government and wealthy people = major patrons of the arts
Spent lavishly on themselves and homes
Dedicated to the general good of the arts
Gave generously to public projects
Huge workshops cranking out Greek-style works
Romans built houses to impress and entertain
Lavish interiors of homes (marble plumbing fixtures!)
Interiors were grand domestic spaces that announced the
importance of the owner
• Artists = low on social scale (what?!)- treated poorly – many were
slaves and never got credit for their work (whaaaaat?!??)

11. Let’s begin with
ARCHITECTURE
in ancient Rome…

12. INNOVATIONS IN ROMAN ARCHITECTURE
• Romans were master builders
• Built great roads and massive aqueducts – efficient way
to connect cities and make areas livable
• Temples = hymns to the gods, symbols of civic pride
• Arenas – awed spectators (size and engineering are
awesome)
• Perfected the arch and used it a lot (not used much
before)
• Used concrete in constructing huge buildings – but
they thought it was ugly, so they covered concrete
structures in other materials (like marble) to make them
more attractive

13. •Each wedge-shaped stone is
smaller at the bottom and wider at
the top – arch stands indefinitely
because wide top can’t pass through
narrow bottom
•No mortar needed – shape of
stones in arch supports structure

14. Arches can be extended into space to
form a continuous tunnel-like BARREL
VAULT

15. Groin vault
Groin vault
SPANDREL
SPANDREL
PIER
•When two barrel vaults intersect, a larger, more
open space is formed called a GROIN VAULT
•Groin vault can be supported by only four
PIERS, rather than requiring a continuous wall
space that a barrel vault needs
•Space between piers = SPANDRELS

16. Pont du Gard, Nimes, France, early 1st century BC

17. •ASHLAR MASONRY:
carefully cut and grooved
stones that support a structure
without concrete, mortar, etc.
•Aqueduct brought water to
city of Nimes
•Roman cities had large
populations because of their
ability to bring water to city
centers
•Heavy, squat arches at
bottom level
•Thinner arches at second
level
•Lighter rhythm of smaller
arches on top level, which
carries the water of the
aqueducts

18. view from top of Pont du Gard (Smolinski cam)

19. Smolinski cam

20. Arch of Constantine, 312-315 CE, Rome, Italy

21. •Built to commemorate Constantine’s
victory over Maxentius at the Battle of
the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE
•Friezes and sculpture taken from
monuments to older emperors: Trajan,
Hadrian, Marcul Aurelius –
Constantine draws parallel between
their accomplishments and his
•New friezes done in situ
•Placed at this location so
that the central arch would,
at a distance, frame a 100foot-tall statue of the Sun
god, Sol

22. look what’s next door

23. •rejection of classical ideal in contemporary sculpture
•heads too large for bodies, squat figures, lack of space
•large eyes, frontal stare, mechanical and repeated stances and gestures
•shallow relief
•heads not distinguished from one another

24. frieze
medalions

25. Basilica Nova (Basilica of Constantine) c.306-312 CE, Rome

26. (this is what’s left)
once housed giant sculpture of Constantine

27. •Largest roofed interior in all
of Rome
•BASILICA: large, axially
planned building with nave,
side aisles, and apses
•NAVE = the center tract
•CLERISTORY: upper part of
nave with large windows to let
light in
•Large windows possible
because groin vaults helped
distribute weight
•long halls that served civic
purposes- standard feature of
every Roman town- usually
held the courts
Reconstruction drawing of the Basilica of Constantine

30. COFFER = sunken panel
in a ceiling – prevents
the weight of ceiling
from cracking walls
beneath it- lightens load
•Massive building with great windows for maximum light
•Large groin-vaulted main isle
•Barrel-vaulted and COFFERED side aisles
•Begun by Constantine’s rival, Maxentius; completed by Constantine

31. The Colosseum, Rome, 72-80 BC

32. •Fine balance between vertical and horizontal
elements
•Enormous amphitheater for gladiator games-in
the center of Rome
•One of the largest single buildings in history
•Efficient-meant to serve large amount of human
traffic (seated 50,000 people)
•Utilizes barrel vaults, groin vaults, and arches

34. Flattened Corinthian
Corinthian
Tuscan
Ionic
•ENGAGED COLUMNS, series of arches
•Three classical orders are used- TUSCAN is on the ground floor (Tuscan = unfluted
with severe Doric-style capitals)
•Ionic on second level
•Corinthian on levels 3 and 4 -lightening of the proportions, but its barely noticeable
•Each type of column thought of as lighter than the order below it

36. •Above squared windows at
top level are small brackets –
to hold flagstaffs- anchors
for retractable canvas roof
used to protect crowd from
hot sun
•Much of the marble was
removed in the Middle Ages
•Real name = Flavian Amphitheater
•Concrete core, brick casting,
travertine facing
•76 entrances and exits circle the
façade
•Meant for wild and dangerous
spectacles – gladiator combat,
animal hunts, naval battles (not for
religious persecution, as legend
says)

37. original appearance (notice canvas roof)

38. Check out the
Academy Awardwinning
“Spartacus”
(1960).
Smolinski two
thumbs up
the floor was flooded for
“naval battles” (entertainment)
Gladiators entertained
audiences in violent fights
with other gladiators, wild
animals, and condemned
criminals. Most were slaves,
trained in harsh conditions,
and socially rejected.

39. Market of Trajan, 100-112 CE, Rome

40. •Original market had 150
shops
•Multi-level mall
•Semicircular building held
several levels of shops
•Main space groin-vaulted
•Barrel-vaulted shops
•Brick and concrete, marble
floors

41. Ever play “Assassin’s Creed”?
If you do, you can play in the
Market of Trajan!

42. Market of Trajan 100-112 CE
Market of Trajan Today

44. Maison Carree, c. 1 CE, Nimes, France

45. •Corinthian capitals
•Set on high podium
•Front entrance emphasized
•Walls of cella (main room) pushed out
to meet the engaged columns, interior
expanded to the maximum size allowed
beyond the porch
•Greek style with Roman adaptationsentrance indicated by flight of stairs,
larger interior

46. •Used as a model for
Jefferson’s State Capitol in
Richmond, Virgina

47. Ara Pacis, 13-9 BCE, ROME

48. •Altar of Augustan Peace
•Exhibits the virtues of peace and its long-lasting effects on society as
a whole
•Built after Augustus’s return from Gaul
•Original altar located so that Egyptian obelisk set in a giant sundial
pointed to the open door on the first day of fall

49. •Two-tier friezes run along walls
•Portray the peace and fertile
prosperity enjoyed as a result of the
peace brought to Rome by Augustus’
military supremacy
Detail of the Processional
Frieze showing members of
the senate

50. Processional frieze showing Augustus as high priest of
Processional frieze showing Augustus as high priest of
Rome, accompanied by members of his family
Rome, accompanied by members of his family

51. The museum that houses Ara
Pacis looks……kinda like Ara
Pacis!

52. Temple of Portunus (aka: Temple of Fortuna Virilis)
1st century BCE, Rome
•Suggests Greek influence
following Roman conquest
of Greece in 146 BCE
(Ionic columns)- but not
copy of Greek
•Etruscan elements- high
podium, deep porch, wide
cella, but cella is not
subdivided into 3 partsnow a unified space
•Needed large interiors for
images of deity and for
display of trophies (statues,
weapons) brought back by
conquering army
•Served as a model temple
type and is found in Italy
and all around the empire

53. Common Plan for Roman
Temples

54. •Combined Greek elements with
ancient Roman peasant hut
design
•Became model for round style
of Roman temples
•Much of the structure is built
with CONCRETE!!!
•Concrete was used in the near
east, but never for architecture
•Concrete structure was faced
with stone, marble
•The facades have worn away so
Roman ruins are less attractive
than Greek’s
Temple of Vesta, early 1st century BCE, Tivoli, Italy

55. •Located in the acropolis of the city of Tivoli
•Not sure who it was dedicated to (Vesta?)
•Corinthian order, circular cella
•raised on a high brick podium covered in
travertine
•cella has door and two windows
•frieze- carved garlands and flowers

56. Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, 1st century BCE
East of Rome- dedicated to Fortuna (Fate)- a goddess
• unearthed through bombings in 1944
•ramps and terraces lead to a colonnaded court, flight of stairs like a Greek theater,
arched openings framed by engaged columns and entablatures, barrel vaults
•all surfaces now are of concrete- fits into the hillside- architecture seems to grow
from rock- comparable to New Kingdom in Egypt

57. flight of stairs like Greek theater

58. Model of Fortuna
•Magnificent sacred complex
•Six terraces built on sloped
land
•Oracular place of worship
with a sacred well and a
statue of goddess Fortuna
nursing Jupiter and Juno
•Fortuna = goddess of
motherhood/fertility
•The site of an oracle (tells
future, consulting with gods)

59. Project for winter break?
Model made of Legos! Doesn’t it blow your mind?

60. Pantheon, Rome, 118-125 CE
•Round style temple dedicated to
all the gods
•Inscription: “Marcus Agrippa,
son of Lucius, having been consul
three times, built it.”
•Corinthian capital porch
•Façade has two pediments- one
deeply recessed behind other
•From the outside, the cella looks
like a simple cylindrical drum
•Not as impressive today- the
modern streets of Rome are a
great deal higher than they were in
ancient times - the steps up to the
porch are now submerged in
pavement
•The interior is far more
impressive
f

61. CUPOLA walls- 20 feet thick at base
Cupola = a dome rising over the roof
of a building – achieved by rotating an
arch on its axis
•Square panels in floor and coffers
contrast with roundness of walls
•Coffers may have been filled with
rosette designs to simulate stars

62. •Oculus is 27 feet across- allows for sunlight and air- acts as moving spotlight across
the interior
•Height of building equals its width; interior based on the circle
•Walls have several NICHES for statues of the gods (indents in the wall)
•Thickness of walls thinned at top; coffers take some weight pressure off walls
•Triumph of concrete construction
•Was heavily decorated

63. •Interior is more impressive
•Use of arches led to huge,
uninterrupted interior spacesused in baths (centers of Roman
society
•Dome is a true hemisphere,
emits plenty of light
•Everything is perfectly
balanced
•Base had to be made much
heavier than the top
•Weight rests on 8 wide pillarsthis allows for niches around the
side
•Inside of dome was originally
gold gilt
Interior of the Pantheon by Pannini
C.1740

65. Hadrian’s Villa, 125-128 CE, Tivoli, Italy
•Huge complex for the delight of Emperor Hadrian (he didn’t like living in the main palace in
Rome, so he built this retreat)
•High quality workmanship
•Comprised of over 30 buildings (250 acres)- much is still unexcavated
•Included gardens, palaces, theater, temples, library, state room, living quarters, baths

66. •CANOPUS: a colonnade with a
cornice connecting the tops of
columns
•Alternated rounded with flattened
lines; sculptures placed inside the
rounded arches
•Framing a reflecting pool

67. •Domes of steam baths have circular holes on top- allows steam to
escape -reminiscent of Parthenon, also built by Hadrian
•Network of underground tunnels- for transport of goods by servants

68. Aula Palatina, early 4th century CE, Trier, Germany

69. •Solid brick, plain audience hall
once covered with marble on
interior
•Semicircular triumphal arch in
apse
•Basilican architectural plan
inspired Christian churches in
Middle Ages
•Hall is heated by HYPOCAUSTa space under the floor that
retained heat from a furnace
•Large windows used lead to bind
glass panes together
•Built by Constantine
•Today it is used as an Evangelical
church

70. BUTTRESSES arch as two-story arches embrace windows
Buttress = a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall.

71. •Forums of Rome - Julius Caesar
planned a similar scaled project in Rome
•Caesar’s Forums were a combination
religious shrine and personal
glorification
•Became the model of all imperial
forums, although nothing remains today
of any of them
Plan of the Forums, Rome

72. Poor Pompeii
at least in 79 CE
•City Layout
•Individual Houses
•Mosaics
•Murals

75. Pompeii, Italy
Explosion by Mount Vesuvius in
79 AD buried Pompeii
Forum
• Large rectangular public square
in center of town
• Surrounded by a colonnade
• Temple of Jupiter- focus of
forum
• Surrounding the forum are the
buildings that housed the
business, government and
religious activities of Pompeii

76. Forum at Pompeii
c. 79 AD
FORUM = public
square or marketplace
in a Roman city

77. Pompeii
Roman Houses
• Faced inward
• Interiors lit from ATRIUM (courtyard), few windows on exterior
• Atrium- opening for rainwater to fall in the IMPLUVIUM (water collection)
• Columns surround impluvium
• Interiors of rooms are painted
• Shops are outside the house facing the street
• Windows are small and limited in number
• Interior rather than exterior emphasized

78. Models of what Pompeii looked like…

83. House of the Vettii (reconstruction), 2 nd -1st century BCE, Pompeii, Italy
-a villa (country house) – combined family living with farm facilities

84. 1. fauces (entrance corridor) 2.
impluvium (rain basin) 3. atrium
(main entry room) 4. tablinum
(study) 5. ala (side room) 6.
lararium (household shrine) 7.
culina (kitchen) 8. triclinium
(dining room) 9. oecus
(reception room)10. peristylium
(peristyle colonnade)11.
viridarium (pleasure-garden)12.
cubiculum (bedroom)
Here is a floor plan, adapted from
the house of the Vettii, to give a
general notion of the layout of a
typical Roman house.

85. •Narrow entrance to the house
sandwiched between several
shops
•Large reception area
(ATRIUM) – open to sky
with impluvium in center
•CUBICULA (bedrooms)
radiate around atrium
•PERISTYLE (atrium
surrounded by columns)
garden in rear
•Garden has fountain,
statuary, more bedroomsprivate area of house
•Axial symmetry- someone
entering house can see
through to garden in rear
•Exterior lacks windows
•Interior lighting comes from
atrium and peristyle

86. Atrium of the House of
the Vettii, Pompeii, Italy

87. Domestic Architecture-•Single family house was called a
Domus- for wealthy Romans
•Each had an atrium, square central
hall lighted by an opening in the
roof
•Silver Wedding- atrium flanked by
Corinthian columns, basin to collect
rain water in the center
•Atriums were used for keeping
family portraits of family ancestors
•Further rooms were attached to the
back of the house as well as
clustered around the atrium
•All shut off from the street with
windowless walls
Atrium, House of the Silver Wedding
Pompeii, 1st century CE

88. Pompeii mosaics…

92. Ixion Room, 70 CE, fresco, Pompeii
•Fresco, linear perspective, atmospheric perspective
•Decorated in red and white
•Ixion murdered his father-in-law and planned to seduce Hera –
prevented by Zeus
•Zeus made cloud in shape of Hera, Ixion fathers race of centaurs
with “Hera cloud”
•Zeus struck him with a thunderbolt and ordered him to be tied to
a wheel in hell
•Strong classical Greek influence in the contrapposto, heroic
musculature, and Greek themes
•Foreshortening
•On top, architectural vistas that do
not align to a single viewpoint
•Thin delicate motifs alternate with
framed mythological scenes

93. This would have looked
like this

94. Dionysiac Mystery Frieze
c. 60-50 BCE
Fresco in Villa of Mysteries,
Pompeii
•In one room of a 90-room mansion
•Exact meaning unclear- might show initiation
rites of a novice into the cult of Dionysos
•God Dionysos in center, drunk, in lap of wife
•Figures act out rituals and rites on narrow
green stage before Pompeian red walls that
propel them close to the picture plane
•Figures modeled convincingly, contrapposto

95. Figures interact with each other on adjacent walls