BYU ARTHC 201 MIDTERM #1 - Ancient Rome

Remus & Romulus

Ancient Rome was founded by twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a she-wolf after being abandoned as babies. They were the sons of the god Mars and the princess Rhea Silvia. As adults, the brothers decided to build a city, but they disagreed on where it should be. Romulus eventually killed Remus in the conflict, becoming the first king of Rome and naming the city after himself, Rome.

Copying Greece & Etruria

• Temple structure

• Gods

• Artistic style (hired artists/craftsmen from these places)

Forum

Large open space in the center of the city, used for public gatherings, markets, and important ceremonies

Basilica

large, public building used for meetings, legal matters, and business. It had a rectangular shape with a central hall and side aisles, often with a large open space in the middle

Amphitheater

360 degree seating around a stage

Roman Innovations

• Political

  • Republic (later empire)

  • Cultural conquest (not just military)

• Technical

  • Rounded arch

  • Concrete

Pompeii Mural Style 1 (Incrustation Style)

The walls were painted to look like marble or stone, creating a luxurious, realistic effect.

Pompeii Mural Style 2 (Architectural Style)

Artists painted detailed scenes of architecture, like windows or columns, giving the illusion of a larger space.

Pompeii Mural Style 3 (Ornate Style)

The walls were filled with delicate, intricate patterns, often with small figures or scenes in the center.

Pompeii Mural Style 4 (Intricate Style)

A mix of the first three styles, featuring more complex designs with architectural elements, decorative patterns, and mythical scenes.

Mystery Cults

secret religious group that offered special knowledge or experiences to its members. These cults often involved rituals, initiation ceremonies, and promises of a better afterlife

Capitoline Wolf (with Romulus and Remus)

Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, Palestrina

Head of old man from Osimo,

Portrait of a Roman general, from the Sanctuary of Hercules in Tivoli

Samnite House, Herculaneum (1st mural style)

House of Julia Felix, Pompeii, Mural with Eggs Birds and Bronze Dish (2nd mural style)

House of Agrippina Postumus (3rd mural style)

House of the Vetti, Pompeii (4th mural style)

Pompeii, Villa of the Mysteries

Garden of the Fugitives, Pompeii

Aqueduct at Pont du-Gard, Nimes, France, 16AD