Roman Art and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide
Roman Art: Questions on the Text
Public Squares in Greece and Rome
1. When was the public square used in Greece? And in Rome?
The public square in Greece was called the agora, while in Rome it was called the forum.
2. Why, according to Vitruvius, couldn’t the Romans build their public squares like the Greeks?
According to Vitruvius, the Romans couldn’t build their public squares like the Greeks because they had the custom of holding gladiatorial combats in them. To accommodate larger crowds, they had to widen the spaces between the porticoes, reducing the number of columns. Additionally, shops were opened under the arcades.
Roman Architecture and Entertainment
3. What building was created expressly for shows and gladiatorial combat in Rome?
The building created in Rome for bloody spectacles was the amphitheater, a spacious elliptical arena where animal hunts, beast fights, executions, gladiatorial combat, and even naval battles (naumachiae) were held.
4. How should the size of the forum be, according to Vitruvius?
According to Vitruvius, the size of the forum should be proportional to the city’s population, so it is neither too small nor too large for the number of people using it.
Greek vs. Roman Forums
5. What difference existed, according to the text, between the layouts of Greek and Roman public squares?
The text indicates that Greek public squares were square, while Roman ones were rectangular. The reason is that the rectangular shape better accommodated the development of entertainment and the comfort of spectators. The ideal ratio, according to Vitruvius, was three measures in length by two in width.
Buildings and Monuments in the Forum
6. What buildings and monuments were placed around the forum?
The buildings located around the forum represented political, commercial, and religious power: the curia, the basilica, and the temple. Notable monuments included triumphal arches, columns, and statues of the emperor.
Forums Throughout Roman History
7. How many forums did Rome have throughout its history?
Throughout its history, the city of Rome had 17 forums, as each emperor made an effort to build his own. The first forums date back to the Republican period, and the second to Julius Caesar (45 BC). Among the imperial forums are those of Augustus (42 BC-2 AD), Nerva (opened in 97 AD, though Domitian built it), and Trajan (113 AD).
Questionnaire
Roman Culture and Cities
1. What were the links that united the vast cultural enterprise of Rome?
The links that united the vast cultural enterprise of Rome were a common language (Latin), a legal system for all its citizens (Roman law), and a universal architecture in service of the state.
2. Point out the characteristics of newly established Roman cities.
Newly established Roman cities were laid out on a grid plan, delimited by two main streets: the cardo and the decumanus. These streets crossed at right angles, forming the forum at their intersection. Secondary streets ran parallel to these main roads, creating blocks for housing.
Roman Architecture and Engineering
3. What was the Roman basilica, and what was its impact?
The Roman basilica was a building that served as a marketplace and court, which determined its large size. Its plan was rectangular and divided into three naves by rows of columns. The entrance was located at the base, and the apse stood at the head. The basilica had a significant impact on Christian art, as it was adapted as a church. Christianity, unlike paganism, needed a large built space to house the faithful attending worship. The basilica met this need, as Roman temples, like Greek ones, were merely containers for the image of the god.
4. What distinguishes the Roman theater from the Greek theater?
The Roman theater differs from the Greek theater in that it was built on level ground. This architectural circumstance prevented the use of a hillside to accommodate the stands.
5. What are the main parts of the Roman baths?
The main parts of the Roman baths are the frigidarium (cold pool), tepidarium (area with warm water tubs), caldarium (area with hot tubs), and apodyterium (changing rooms).
6. Mention the most important achievements of Roman engineering.
The most important achievements of Roman engineering were roads and bridges for land communication, aqueducts to supply water to cities, and sewers for waste disposal.
Periodization of Roman Art
Stylistic and Chronological Development of the Roman Portrait
The Roman portrait originated in the Republican era (509 BC-27 AD) and its features are based on two antecedents: the funeral traditions of the imagines maiorum and the physiognomic portrait of the Hellenistic period. During the Republic, the portrait was characterized by absolute fidelity to the model and the acceptance of their physical imperfections.
In 27 AD, with Octavian Augustus, the republican regime gave way to the Empire. As an instrument of political propaganda, the portrait of the emperor and his idealized image moved from the private sphere to the public domain. Approaching the Christian era, Republican naturalism only remained among the middle class and freedmen; high society imitated Augustus.
The idealization imposed by Augustus continued with the Julio-Claudian dynasty (14-68), Hadrian (117-138), the Antonines (138-192), and the Severans (192-235). However, the Flavians (69-96) and Trajan (98-117) saw a return to naturalism.
Another aspect to consider is the evolution of the half-length portrait, in which the bust grows over the centuries. With the Julio-Claudians, it reaches the clavicles; with the Flavians, it extends to the shoulders; with Hadrian, it depicts part of the chest and arms; and with the Antonines and Severans, it includes the entire chest.