The Burden Of Glory - The Art of the High & Late Roman Empire

The Burden of Glory

• Title: The Art of the High and Late Roman Empire

• Presented by: Professor Will Adams

The Imperial Age

Aqueducts

• Pont-du-Gard, Nîmes, France; 19 BCE

  • Built to supply water to large cities in the Roman Empire, particularly Rome.

  • Rome had the largest concentration of aqueducts with 11 constructed over 500 years.

  • Approximately 300 miles of aqueducts existed, with only 29 above ground.

  • The aqueduct system in Nîmes supplied about 100 gallons of water per day from a source 30 miles away.

Key Structures

Maison Carrée, Nîmes, France; c. 10 CE

• Built by Agrippa, dedicated to his sons Caius and Lucius.

• Symbolized the loyalty of the Roman colony to the empire.

• Located on a 10-feet high podium, constructed from local limestone.

• Architects and workers likely originated from Rome.

Historical Context

Vespasian and Titus

• The Imperial Age (79 CE):

  • Titus, son of Vespasian, assumed control post-father's death.

  • Known as "the light of the world" despite the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in the same year.

  • Mystery surrounds Titus's death in 81 CE.

Pompeii and Herculaneum

• Buried by the eruption on August 24 & 25, 79 CE.

• Pompeii serves as a primary archaeological source for Roman urban life.

Portrait Art

Portrait of a Husband and Wife; Pompeii, Italy; c. 70-79 CE

• Features typical Roman marriage portrait elements (scroll and writing tablet).

• Individualized heads suggest higher education status.

Still Life Representation

Still-Life with Peaches; Fresco, Herculaneum, Italy; AD 62-79

• Illustrates Roman painters' skills in creating illusionistic effects using light and shade.

Architectural Innovations

Arch of Titus, Rome, Italy; 81 CE

• Erected by Domitian in honor of his brother Titus

• Served as a triumphal arch commemorating victories beyond military achievements.

• Includes decorative reliefs such as spoils from Jerusalem and the triumph of Titus.

The High Imperial Age

Hadrian's Influence

Portrait Bust of Hadrian as General; Tel Shalem, Israel; c. 130-138 CE

• Hadrian: notable patron of the arts, author, and architect.

• Depicted as a mature adult without an aging appearance throughout his reign.

The Pantheon

Pantheon, Rome, Italy; 125-128 CE

• A revolutionary temple design dedicated to all gods, initiated under Hadrian's orders.

• Features a thick dome construction with an oculus serving as the sole natural light source.

  • Oculus is 30 feet in diameter.

• Initially contained images of Roman deities, later replaced with saints after its consecration in 609 CE.

Hadrian’s Wall

• Constructed to protect from invasions by Scots and Picts (AD 122-130).

• Span of 74 miles, measuring 8-10 feet wide and 20 feet tall with towers at every mile.

• Completed in approximately 8 years.

Conclusion

• This era of Roman art and architecture represents significant advancements in civic structures, portrait realism, and the blending of utility with beauty.

The Burden of Glory

Title: The Art of the High and Late Roman Empire

Presented by: Professor Will Adams

The Imperial Age

Aqueducts

• Pont-du-Gard, Nîmes, France; 19 BCE

  • Built to supply water to large cities in the Roman Empire, particularly Rome.

  • Rome had the largest concentration of aqueducts with 11 constructed over 500 years.

  • Approximately 300 miles of aqueducts existed, with only 29 above ground.

  • The aqueduct system in Nîmes supplied about 100 gallons of water per day from a source 30 miles away.

Key Structures

• Maison Carrée, Nîmes, France; c. 10 CE

  • Built by Agrippa, dedicated to his sons Caius and Lucius.

  • Symbolized the loyalty of the Roman colony to the empire.

  • Located on a 10-feet high podium, constructed from local limestone.

  • Architects and workers likely originated from Rome.

Historical Context

• Vespasian and Titus

  • The Imperial Age (79 CE):

    • Titus, son of Vespasian, assumed control post-father's death.

    • Known as "the light of the world" despite the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in the same year.

    • Mystery surrounds Titus's death in 81 CE.

• Pompeii and Herculaneum

  • Buried by the eruption on August 24 & 25, 79 CE.

  • Pompeii serves as a primary archaeological source for Roman urban life.

Portrait Art

• Portrait of a Husband and Wife; Pompeii, Italy; c. 70-79 CE

  • Features typical Roman marriage portrait elements (scroll and writing tablet).

  • Individualized heads suggest higher education status.

Still Life Representation

• Still-Life with Peaches; Fresco, Herculaneum, Italy; AD 62-79

  • Illustrates Roman painters' skills in creating illusionistic effects using light and shade.

Architectural Innovations

• Arch of Titus, Rome, Italy; 81 CE

  • Erected by Domitian in honor of his brother Titus.

  • Served as a triumphal arch commemorating victories beyond military achievements.

  • Includes decorative reliefs such as spoils from Jerusalem and the triumph of Titus.

The High Imperial Age

Hadrian's Influence

• Portrait Bust of Hadrian as General; Tel Shalem, Israel; c. 130-138 CE

  • Hadrian: notable patron of the arts, author, and architect.

  • Depicted as a mature adult without an aging appearance throughout his reign.

The Pantheon

• Pantheon, Rome, Italy; 125-128 CE

  • A revolutionary temple design dedicated to all gods, initiated under Hadrian's orders.

  • Features a thick dome construction with an oculus serving as the sole natural light source.

  • Oculus is 30 feet in diameter.

  • Initially contained images of Roman deities, later replaced with saints after its consecration in 609 CE.

Hadrian’s Wall

• Constructed to protect from invasions by Scots and Picts (AD 122-130).

• Span of 74 miles, measuring 8-10 feet wide and 20 feet tall with towers at every mile.

• Completed in approximately 8 years.

Conclusion

This era of Roman art and architecture represents significant advancements in civic structures, portrait realism, and the blending of utility with beauty.