Roman Art and Architecture: Influences and Innovations
Roman Art: Influences and Innovations
Following the conquest of Greece, Roman art experienced a significant transformation. Cargoes of Greek sculptures and architectural elements were transported to Rome, accompanied by Greek artists who quickly found a strong clientele. These artists’ copies played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge of Greek sculpture. While Roman art can be seen as a continuation of Greek art, it developed its own distinct character. Roman architecture, unlike its Greek counterpart, embraced vaulted spaces, domes, new materials, innovative construction techniques, and a wider variety of building types.
Key Differences Between Greek and Roman Theaters
Greek Theater:
- Steps rested on the mountainside.
- Circular orchestra.
- Cavea (seating area) extended beyond a semicircle.
- Access to the cavea via external stairs.
- Scene (stage building) located behind the orchestra, serving as a backdrop.
- Lower front of the stage occupied the foreground.
Roman Theater:
- Seating system rested on concrete vaults and galleries.
- Semicircular orchestra, used for seating important individuals rather than performances.
- Cavea coincided with the semicircle of the orchestra.
- Access to the cavea via interior stairs or vomitoria.
- Significantly higher scene building, coinciding with the orchestra’s semicircle.
- Much lower stage.
- Portico around the cavea, providing shelter from rain.
- Proscenium: the back of the scene, used as a dressing area.
- Hyposcenium: a subterranean gallery beneath the stage for storing machinery.
- Frons Scaenae: the front of the stage, permanently decorated.
- Wooden roof.
Roman Art: Characteristics and Key Features
Roman art was heavily influenced by both Etruscan and Greek traditions, particularly in sculpture, where Greek works were frequently copied. Roman art is characterized by its realism, sobriety, and emphasis on utility over pure aesthetics.
Sculpture
Roman sculptors worked with marble, bronze, and wood. The primary subject was the individual as a citizen, often depicted to reflect their social status. Sculptors were typically anonymous. Two main genres dominated: portraiture and historical relief.
Writing and Materials
The Latin alphabet consisted of 21 letters and included variations like Monumentalis Capitalis, Capitalis Quadrata, and Rustica. Parchment, made from animal skins, became the preferred writing material due to its durability and flexibility compared to papyrus. The codex, a precursor to the modern book, was created by folding and stitching together groups of parchment sheets.
Construction and Architecture
Notable Roman constructions include:
- Memorial Columns: Featuring sculptural decoration in a helical pattern for visibility from all angles.
- Triumphal Arches: Adorned with commemorative inscriptions and relief scenes.
- Spas (Thermae): Meeting rooms and public baths.
- Circus: Elliptical venues for chariot races.
- Amphitheater: A fusion of two theaters, forming an elliptical structure with a central arena (sand) for spectacles, including mock naval battles (naumachiae).
- Housing: Individual houses (domus), country estates (villa), and apartment buildings (insulae).
- Basilica: Used for meetings and legal proceedings.
- Cities: Often designed with a grid-like layout.
- Temples: Adapted from Greek models to suit Roman needs.
Architectural Features
Roman architecture is characterized by:
- Adaptation of Greek models.
- Emphasis on practicality and functionality.
- Development of large cities.
- Construction of grand public buildings.
- Use of arches, vaults, and lintels.
- Materials: marble, concrete, and brick.
- Introduction of the Tuscan order (derived from the Doric order).
- Combination of different architectural orders (e.g., Doric/Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian).