Etruscan and Roman Culture

Etruscan Ossuary and Cultural Transition

• Ossuary Definition: Funereal urn for bone fragments post-cremation, from the Latin 'ossa' meaning bones.
• Historical Context: Dates back to the 9th century Etruscan culture, which marked a societal shift.
• Design Elements: Features proto-geometric designs akin to later Greek Dark Ages pottery, indicating enhanced artistic expression due to increased leisure.
• Cultural Interaction: Etruscans' engagement with Greek influences is evidenced in the alphabet's Greek-like appearance.
• Cremation Practices: Ossuaries provide insights into Etruscan burial rituals focused on cremation and bone preservation.
• Archaeological Significance: Found primarily in graves, highlighting the role of funerary sites in preserving Etruscan culture and understanding.

Roman Architectural Influences

• Temple Significance: A small temple in Rome, possibly dedicated to Heracles, embodies the Hellenization of Roman culture.
• Architectural Style: Incorporation of Greek design elements such as Corinthian columns and circular structure, a departure from Etruscan styles.
• Cultural Integration: Represents Rome's appreciation for Greek aesthetics and gods.

Marius and Triumphs

• Marius’s Triumph: Celebrated military achievements through a four-horse chariot procession, symbolizing personal glory (gloria).
• Currency Context: Coins functioned as monumenta, commemorating achievements and enhancing political status.
• Coin Features: Minted in 56 BCE, depicting Sulla's victory in the Jugurthine War, showcasing familial pride and political propaganda.
• Cato the Elder: Bust represents Roman realism in portraiture and ideals of authenticity and conservatism, illustrating social mobility within the Republic.

Personal Rivalry between Marius and Sulla

• Continued Rivalry: Coins depict the ongoing competition and propaganda between Marius and Sulla, shaping narratives of their military exploits.
• Sulla’s Legacy: Faustus Sulla's coin asserts his achievements and counters Marius's legacy in the Jugurthine War.

Roman Propaganda and Legacy

• Caesar's Lasting Changes: Caesar’s declaration as "Dictator Perpetuo" (Dictator for Life) redefined governance in Rome.
• Temple to Venus Genetrix: A strategic construction to assert his divine lineage, linking power and mythology.
• Visual Representation: Augustus's statue depicts authority and the peace he brought, coupled with military connotations to affirm dominance.

Vespasian’s Legal Codification

• Lex de Imperio Vespasiani: Formalized the emperor's powers, ensuring legal recognition of authority after instability.
• Damnatio Memoriae: Post-assassination of Domitian, it aimed to erase his presence from public memory, highlighting regime transitions.

Representations of Power and Influence

• Hadrian's Statue: Symbolizes Roman dominance and the suppression of revolts in Judea, serving as a visual warning.
• Optimus Princeps Coin: Publicly celebrates Trajan, reinforcing his image as a valued leader through Senate admiration.
• Agrippina's Representation: Statue as priestess signifies her influence in promoting the imperial cult, confirmed by literary evidence.

Conclusion

• These findings and representations illustrate the intricate relationship between Roman culture, artistic expression, and the political narrative shaped through artifacts and architecture.