THE ROMAN EMPIRE GARDNER CHAPTER 10-6 PP. 276-280.
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Transcript of THE ROMAN EMPIRE GARDNER CHAPTER 10-6 PP. 276-280.
THE ROMAN EMPIREGARDNER CHAPTER 10-6
PP. 276-280
LATE EMPIRE The two centuries of the Pax Romana -> in
the Late Empire 193-337 CE Roman power begins to erode
Difficult to keep order on the borders
Emperor Commodus r. 180-192 is assassinated ending the Antonine dynasty
Economy in decline
Imperial bureaucracy disintegrating
The official state religion was losing ground to Eastern cults
Late Empire is pivotal period when pagan ancient world gradually transforms into the Christian Middle Ages
THE SEVERANS Civil conflict follow’s the
assassination of Commodus
African born general Septimius Severus (r. 193-211) becomes emperor
He establishes a dynasty that will rule for nearly half a century
SEVERAN PORTRAITURE After the civil war Severus declares that he
was adopted son of Marcus Aurelius
Portraits of the emperor show him with the long hair and beard of his Antonine “father”
Painted portrait of Septimius Severus and his family, from Egypt, ca. 200 CE, tempera on wood
Only surviving painting of an emperor
Presented as aging w/gray hair -> two sons, Caracalla has his borther murdered and makes the Senate damn Gela’s memory -> figure blotted out on the TONDO
CARACALLA
Portrait of Caracalla, ca. 211-217 CE, marble, 1’2” high
Portrait bust renders physical likeness as well as character portrayal
In life a ruthless tyrant, in sculpture a hard-nosed, stern, and suspicious face
Downturned mustache and lines over eyes contribute to harsh characterization
LEPCIS
MAGNA Chariot procession of Septimius
Severus, relief from the attic of the Arch of Severus, Lepcis Magna, Libya, 203 CE, marble
Unlike the triumph panel of the Arch of Titus this gives no sense of rushing motion -> instead, stately stillness
Frontality and floating figures -> new to Roman art -> non-Classical style
The new aesthetic relates to social. Political, and economic upheaval
New non-naturalistic, more abstract style = Late Antique Style
BATHS OF CARACALLA
Baths of Caracalla, Rome, Italy, 212-216 CE
Could accommodate 1600 bathers -> resembled modern health spa -> included libraries, lecture halls, and exercise courts plus bathing rooms and swimming pool
Design was symmetrical along a central axis -> sequestial plunges in tepidarium, caldarium, and frigidarium
Stuccoed vaults, mosaic floors, marble faced walls, and marble statuary
THE SOLDIER EMPERORS
Severan dynasty ends in 235 CE -> half century of civil war follows -> one general after another is declared emperor by his troops then murdered by another general
Little to no significant building activity happened in Rome during this time
TRAJAN DECIUS
Portrait bust of Trajan Decius, 249-251 CE, marble, 2’7”
Portrait of a short lived “soldier emperor” -> depicts an older man w/bags under his eyes and a sad expression
The eyes glance away nervously, reflecting the anxiety of an insecure ruler
TREBONIANUS GALLUS Heroic portrait of Trebonianus
Gallus, from Rome, Italy, 251-253 CE, bronze, 7’11” high
Over-life-size heroically nude statue -> projects brute force
Heavy set body w/massive legs and swollen trunk -> face has nervous expression
LUDOVISI BATTLE SARCOPHAGUS
Battle of Romans and barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), from Rome, Italy, ca. 250-260 CE, marble, 5’ high
Extremely crowded surface with figures piled on top of one another
Figures lack individuality
Confusion of battle is echoed by congested composition
Roman army trounces bearded and defeated barbarians
Youthful Roman general appears at center top w/no weapons and is only Roman w/no helmet -> invincible/needs no protection