Ancient Roman and Greek Art & Architecture: Key Monuments and Sites

Think early Rome's religious + political heart, before Imperial domination, argentina = ancient arena

argentina

A marble statue of Emperor Augustus found in his villa at Prima Porta, Rome.

Prima Porta Augustus

A huge tomb in the Lycian city of Xanthos (in modern Turkey) with strong Greek features and elaborate sculpture.

Nereid Monument

famed for its dynamic "Gigantomachy" frieze - gods vs giants - dramatic emotion. "think gods fight emotion height"

Pergamon Altar

A marketplace built by Italian (Roman) merchants on the Greek island of Delos. think "Italians in Delos = money meets mythos."

Agora of the Italians on Delos

A Greek house on Delos distinguished by an inscription to "Pastas" and fine domestic frescoes/mosaics; good example of Hellenistic domestic architecture.

Pastas House

The cemetery and outer-wall area of Athens showing many Ancient Greek grave reliefs

Kerameikos Cemetery

Demosthenes looks stressed = Greek express

- shows character, realism

Portrait of Demosthenes

A Hellenistic city in Afghanistan (ancient Bactria) showing Greek urban planning and architecture far from Greece

Ai‑Khanoum

Julii mix Rome's fame with Greek frame.

A late Roman tomb in Glanum, created by the Julii family; blends Rome and local Gallic styles.

Mausoleum of the Julii at Glanum

to celebrate the return of Augustus and the peace he brought.

Serves both as religious altar and political message

Think altar of peace, propaganda piece

Ara Pacis

The first permanent stone theatre in Rome, built by Pompey the Great

Theatre of Pompey

built from spoils of war to commemorate a military victory in the Roman Republic.

Manubial temple

The most important Roman temple, dedicated to Jupiter

It symbolised Rome's religious, political and civic supremacy

Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus

An archaeological site in Rome showing very early/Archaic temples and the earliest known temple remains in Rome.

think "Omobono's stones tell oldest Rome's tones."

Sant'Omobono sanctuary

A major Etruscan necropolis near Cerveteri featuring tumulus tombs and chamber burials carved like houses.

Banditaccia Necropolis at Cerveteri

Reliefs showing formerly-enslaved individuals often with tools or symbols of their work and manumission

Freedmen's reliefs

The Servian Wall was the early defensive wall built around Rome to protect the city.

Servian Wall

The suburban villa of Livia (wife of Augustus) at Prima Porta with famous garden frescoes and portrait statue of Augustus nearby

Villa of Livia at Prima Porta

A large tomb in Halicarnassus for Mausolus often considered one of the Seven Wonders.

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

tomb for Augustus and his family.

Shows imperial power, monumental tombs as political statement, and continuity of Roman tradition.

Mausoleum of Augustus

Julius Caesar built this forum as an extension of the Roman Forum

Forum of Caesar

The political, religious, and commercial heart of Rome

Understand how Romans organized space for politics, religion, and social life

Forum Romanum

Greek city rebuilt under Roman influence

Shows Greek-Roman cultural blending

Corinth

A grave stele for Dexilaos, an Athenian cavalryman; shows realistic Hellenistic art style.

Dexilaos monument

Burial site of Macedonian royalty

Shows Hellenistic royal funerary practices and artistry

Vergina tombs

The act of freeing a slave in Rome

Mission to be free

Manumission

celebrate his victory over the Parthians and dedicate a temple to Mars Ultor

Forum of Augustus at Rome

Roman colony in southern Gaul (modern Arles, France), founded by Caesar

hows Roman urban planning in the provinces: forum, theater, amphitheater

Arelate

known for his speeches against Philip II of Macedon

Shows how portraiture evolved in Greece

Portrait of Demosthenes from Athens