The Romans Chapter 6 Etruscan and Roman Art

AP Art History

Instructional Objectives: • Students will be able to examine the ways that Etruscan

funerary art celebrates the vitality of human existence.

• Students will be able to trace the development of portraiture as a major form of artistic expression for the Romans.

• Students will be able to investigate the various ways Romans embellished the walls of their houses with illusionistic painting.

• Students will be able to explore the structural advances made by the Romans in the construction of large civic architecture.

• Students will be able to assess the ways Roman emperors used art and architecture as an arm of imperial propaganda.

Grading Rubric: • For this lesson, you will be graded using the following rubric:

Points Earned: Explanation:

4 Student can clearly identify 3 ways that Republican portraiture changed, and 3 ways that Republican temples changed from earlier periods of Roman history.

3 Student can clearly identify 2 ways that Republican portraiture changed, and 2 ways that Republican temples changed from earlier periods of Roman history.

2 Student can clearly identify 1 way that Republican portraiture changed, and 1 way that Republican temples changed from earlier periods of Roman history.

1 Student can identify ways that Republican portraiture and temple structure changed from earlier works; however, the answer is not complete or lacks supporting evidence.

0 Student cannot identify way that Republican sculpture and temple structure changed from earlier periods of Roman history.

The Romans • As Etruscan civilization was thriving, the

Romans were developing into a formidable power.

• While Etruscan kings would rule for a period, by 509 BCE the Romans took complete control of the area.

• The Etruscans were absorbed into Roman territory.

• Rome continued to conquer many locations across the Mediterranean:

• the Italian Peninsula

• Carthage

• At its greatest extent, Rome would control:

• The Euphrates River area

• Ring the Mediterranean Sea (mare nostrum)

• Gaul

• Portions of Asia

• English lands to Scotland

• Conquered peoples assimilated Roman legal systems, administration, and cultural structures.

• Rome left a LASTING impact on civilization emerging in Europe.

Roman Religion • Roman religion does assimilate Greek

gods, myths, beliefs, and practices.

• Worship practices would also include homage to past rulers.

• Romans would take oaths of allegiance to the present rulers.

• Romans also adopted “mystery” religions of the conquered peoples.

• Isis and Osiris from Egypt

• Cybele from Anatolia

• Mithras from Persia

• Monotheistic deity of Judaism

• Some emperors tried to suppress new rulers.

Roman Pantheon This building is literally the temple of “ALL the gods.” Constructed under the rule of Marcus

Agrippa, in 27-25 BCE. After a fire, Domitian replaced this with a new temple in 80 CE. Hadrian then replaced Domitian’s temple with this one in 118-128 CE.

The Roman Republic • Early Roman Government

• Social status, political privilege, and fundamental values

• Self-sufficient farmers and large landowners

• Council of Elders – heads of wealthy families were members of the Senate

• 7 kings of Rome from 753-507 BCE = Some were Etruscans!

• 509 B.C. Romans overthrow the last Etruscan King.

• Romans then establish the Republic.

• Leaders are not kings.

• Certain citizens have the right to vote (sound familiar? Heard of Greece?)

• Republic lasted from 507-31 BCE

• Not a modern republic – votes of the wealthy count more than everyone else.

• Enemies surrounded the Republic:

• Continuous warfare begins!

• By 264 B.C. = Rome defeats:

• The other states of Latium

• The Greeks in the South

• The last Etruscan settlement

• Rome controls almost all of the Italian Peninsula!

• The Roman Confederation:

• Latin peoples have full Roman citizenship.

• Other groups are allies and give soldiers to Rome: these people could earn citizenship.

• The Roman Senate

• Holds the real power of Rome

• Supposedly an advisory council

• As Rome progresses, the Senate will be chosen annually

• Members served for life and were from the prominent families

• Have wealth, influence, and political/military experience!

• Inequalities will lead to conflict

• Rome’s success comes from 3 virtues:

• Duty

• Courage

• Discipline

Portrait Sculpture

• What were sculptors seeking to create in the Republic period?

• Lifelike images

• Used careful observations of subjects to create images

• Were the objectives related to any cultural factors?

• YES!

• Veneration of their ancestors

• Making/public display of death masks of deceased relatives

Read pg. 170 Art and Its Context

• Republican portraiture was associated with the idea of verism – an interest in the faithful reproduction of the subject!

• This means that we think Roman artists were trying to create an exact likeness!

Head of a Roman Patrician

c. 75-50 BCE

Portrait Head of an Elder

c. 80 BCE

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_12.233.jpg

The Orator • Aulus Metellus (Aule Metele)

• Is it Etruscan or Roman?

• What is this work?

• This is a life-size bronze portrait with the name inscribed on the hem of the garment.

• Lettering is Etruscan

• What is significant about this work?

• This sculpture depicts a man addressing people.

• The outstretched hand is a representation of rhetorical persuasiveness.

• Dressed as a Roman Senator!!! He is important

• Where would these statues be placed?

• Pliny the Elder noted they would be found atop columns (memorials)

Roman Architecture • Who “invented” the round arch?

• Neither Etruscans and Romans invented the round arch!

• Both would use this device in MANY pieces of architecture.

• How is this element used?

• This element is both effective architecture AND elegant design.

• Why is this important?

• Round arches displace most of their weight along their curving sides.

• Weight travels down the vertical element of this piece (column, pier, door, or window jamb)

• How is the arch created?

• Brick or cut stones are formed into a curve and carefully fitted together.

• The wedge-shaped elements are called voussoirs.

• The central element of an arch is called the “keystone”.

• Arches require added supports because of the additional weight – buttressing is key in arches!

• Each piece of an arch is extremely important.

• Springings, piers, jambs, imposts, voussoirs, and keystones.

• Before the placement of the keystone, the arch is supported by a wooden scaffolding (centering).

Pont Du Gard, Nimes, France

Constructed in the late 1st Century BCE

Roman Temples • How did architecture of the Roman Republic

reflect both Etruscan and Greek elements?

• Romans constructed URBAN temples in commercial centers!

• Example: Temple, Perhaps dedicated to Portunus (6-16)

• How is this temple a DIRECT REFLECTION of Etruscan influence?

• How does this temple reveal adoption of Greek architectural orders?

• Where do we see engaged columns on this piece?

• What DIFFERENCES are shown in this piece?

• Through careful analysis, we note that the piece is Roman rather than Etruscan or Greek.

• Were temples constructed in other spaces?

• YES! Temples were also constructed in special sanctuaries!

• How large is Rome by the 1st Century BCE?

• Nearly ONE MILLION inhabitants in the city!

• The Roman Republic was essentially an OLIGARCHY in the hands of a Senate!

• Will this change?

• YES! Rome will transform into an EMPIRE under the rule of OCTAVIAN!