Lecture 16: Classical Archaeology Notes

The Hellenistic World

  • Cultural Shifts:
    • Alexander's conquests resulted in shifting cultural boundaries and a greater mixture of cultures.
    • Introduced the concept of Oikoumene—a unified, inhabited world emphasizing cosmopolitanism.
  • Artistic Developments:
    • Increased theatricality and emotional expression in sculpture.
    • Rise of Euergetism among royalty and elites, leading to a growth in portraiture and the monumentalization of cities.
    • Art began to serve primarily as decoration, reflecting societal values.

Roman Empire Geography

  • Several provinces and regions in the Roman Empire were detailed, emphasizing the complexity and vastness of Roman territorial claims, notably:
    • Aquitania, Moesia, Dacia, Bithynia et Pontus, Britannia provinces, and many others.
  • Significance of Geographic Knowledge: Understanding these locations provides context for trade, military campaigns, and cultural exchanges.

Roman vs. Greek Art

  • Interpretive Problem: Traditionally, Roman art has been viewed as derivative and inferior compared to Greek art, fostering the misconception of a lack of creativity.
    • Influenced by Johann Winkelmann's ideas.
    • This perspective ignores Italic influences and the complex processes of copying, which involve creativity and adaptation.

Copying in Art

  • Case Study: Large Herculaneum Woman.
    • Adapted for various contexts such as funerary, honorific, and both private and public settings.
    • Art acts as a form of communication—e.g., it symbolizes ideas of fertility and modesty (as explored by scholars Sheila Dillon and Jennifer Trimble).

Contextual Analysis in Roman Culture

  • Importance of context in understanding artworks:
    • Where were the objects found?
    • What narrative do they communicate?
    • Decorum: A key Roman value influencing artistic expression and representation.

Etruscans

  • Historical Overview: Active from 700 BC until assimilated into the Roman Republic by the late 4th century.
    • Known for large walled towns on hills and tribal organization.
  • Artistic Influences:
    • Etruscan art shares visual similarities with Greek art, reflecting their commercial ties.
    • Example: The Cippus Perusinus, a contract documenting shared tomb use.

Bucchero Ware

  • A distinctive Etruscan pottery style characterized by:
    • Oxygen deprivation during firing, leading to unique burnished finishes.
  • Example: Bucchero chalice, 6th century BCE, housed at the Louvre.

Urban Developments in Etruscan Cities

  • Marzabotto: Developed from a small village to a significant urban center by the 5th century BC, featuring:
    • An orthogonal grid layout and organized graveyards.
  • House Structures:
    • Built around atriums with symmetrical designs, often including gardens and worship areas.

Etruscan Religion and Temples

  • Example: Portonaccio Sanctuary at Veii, showcasing architectural elements like:
    • Tripartite cella, frontal orientation, and porches.

Etruscan Sculpture**

  • Apollo of Veii: Created between 510-500 BC, exemplifies Etruscan craftsmanship and religious significance.

Etruscan Tombs and Burial Practices

  • Horror vacui: A characteristic style in Etruscan tombs, marked by dense decoration to avoid empty spaces.
  • Examples of notable tombs include:
    • Tomb of the Triclinium (5th century BC)
    • Sarcophagus of the Spouses (ca. 520 BC) from Cerveteri.

Key Takeaways

  • The view of Roman art should shift from seeing it merely as a copy to recognizing it as an adaptation of Greek elements into new contexts.
  • The Etruscans played a crucial role as trading partners and preserved archaic styles of art into later periods.