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Ancient Roman Culture &
Art History
6th Grade Art & Introduction to Art
Ms. McDaniel
Ancient Roman Vocabulary
1. Ludi
2. Mosaic
3. Arch
4. Aqueduct
5. Fresco
6. Murals
7. Etruscan
8. Papyrus
9. Relief
10. Amphitheater
Timeline of Ancient Rome
Previous BC in Italy – Etruscan civilization
753BC – Legendary Founding of Rome by Romulus
510BC – Etruscans are overthrown – Rome rises
510-44BC – Roman Republic
27BC – 476AD – Roman Empire
(Roman art was at its height from 750BC – 410AD)
Critical Culture Questions
1.
We’ve studied Egyptian Art History previously, they had a unique art
style – why was their style so different than the rest of the world?
2.
What were some of the Egyptian innovations we studied? Do we still
use their innovations in our daily life now? The Romans came along
much later, how do you think their innovations influenced us?
3.
How does the Roman culture influence us today?
4.
From the dates we know Roman art started and when Egyptian art
ended, was there any overlap?
5.
The Romans had running water – how were they able to achieve this?
Why is Ancient Rome
Important Today?
1. Their architecture style is still used today
2. They made many important inventions
3. Had an established government like ours
4. Modern democratic nations have used Rome as a model
for nation building
5. They spoke Latin – basis for our modern language (all
scientific names are in Latin)
6. They made significant strides in realistic art – which we
still use today.
Where was Ancient Rome located?
Rome is located in Italy but the Roman Empire spread throughout a
large part of modern-day Europe through conquering territories.
Ancient Roman Culture
• Brutal, efficient military: Were called the Roman War Machine - largely
considered to be the most efficient military in history.
• Government was very organized: Roman citizens operated under many
laws – much like our society today
• Extremely organized: had huge roadway system – consisted of over
50,000 miles of roads – all systematically laid out (“All roads lead to
Rome”)
• Loved entertainment: The Coliseum was built for huge entertainment –
held 50,000 spectators
The ancient Romans used papyrus –
a term that may sound familiar
Papyrus – Natural Egyptian paper used throughout the ancient world
Ancient Roman Innovations
• Aqueduct
• Arch
• Roads
Ancient Romans were
instrumental in inventing
concepts that we use today
• Public Baths & Sewers
• Concrete
• Apartment Blocks
Aqueducts
Aqueducts were used throughout the Roman Empire to carry clean
water to the many towns. This was one of the most important
inventions in ancient Rome. This aqueduct is still standing today.
Aqueduct – An artificial channel for carrying water (used gravity to their advantage –
water flows downward)
Roman Arches
Arch - A curved structure made of stone which supports or strengthens a building.
Most arches consist of wedge-shaped blocks. The top center stone, called the keystone,
is the last block to be inserted. During construction, arches are often supported by a
wooden frame. When the frame is removed, both sides of the arch press against the
keystone and thereby support the arch.
The Romans were the first to use
the arch in large-scale architecture.
Roman Baths
Romans liked to keep clean. They liked to bathe at least once a day. But most
people did not have individual baths in their houses. Instead, they went to large
public baths, where they could relax, meet friends and exercise as well as bathe.
Water for the baths was heated in a tank, much like our modern water heaters,
then piped into a basin heated by a furnace under the floor.
Although fond of bathing, the Romans were not familiar with soap. In order to get clean,
they would oil up, then scrape the oil and dirt off together with a metal tool called a strigil.
Roman Plumbing
For the first time in history, the Romans had a comprehensive plumbing system.
Gravity-based, many homes had running water, which was unprecedented. The water
also flowed for fountains and waste systems. There were large sewer tunnels.
Concrete
Composed of lime or gypsum, water and rubble stones, concrete was revolutionary to
the Ancient Romans and allowed them to build massive structures for much cheaper
than the traditional marble stone that the Greeks utilized.
Apartment Blocks
Romans were able
to build high-rise
apartment buildings
– however, they
relied on gravitybased water flow
systems so the first
floors had access to
water, but the top
floors were tiny,
single rooms with
no access to water.
The richer you
were, the lower you
lived.
Ancient Roman Artwork
• Portrait Sculptures
• Statues
• Relief Sculptures
• Painting
• Mosaics
• Architecture
Ancient Roman art really began
around 500 BC with the
beginning of the Roman
Republic
Where did they get their style?
The Ancient Romans were influenced by many different cultures
over their reign. They were introduced to new cultures and
concepts while they conquered new lands. Two of their major
influences were:
The Etruscans
The Etruscans were inhabitants of ancient Italy before the rise of the Roman Empire.
When the Romans came in and overtook or assimilated the inhabitants, they were
influenced by their art style.
The Greeks
Romans began conquering Greece around 200BC and that’s when their art styles
changed a lot. They viewed the Greek art in temples and people’s home and either
stole it or bought it. They liked it so much that sometimes they brought back Greek
sculptors…either paid or as slaves.
How was their style influenced?
The Etruscans
• Used realism
• Used archways
• Developed casting sculptures in bronze
• Had sophisticated architecture practices
• Used complicated patterns
The Greeks
• Sculpted free form figures
• Had a complex system of gods and goddesses
• Pretty much all of the Greek art was simply copied or
altered
The Romans used all of these ideas in their artwork
Ancient Roman
Sculpture
Greek Copies
• Romans loved Greek artwork, at first they
copied the sculptures almost exactly but they
were never able to figure out how to make the
figures free-standing
- All Roman copies of Greek sculpture can
be identified by a tree trunk or a stand
holding the figure upright.
• Greek sculptors were only interested in
sculpting perfection - most beautiful male
or the most physically fit male.
Greek Copies (cont’d)
• In the beginning of Roman sculpture, they
copied the Greek style of sculpting human
perfection. All statues are what were
considered the ultimate achievement in
beauty/and or fitness.
• Much of the early Roman artwork was about
Greek mythology…or the Roman equivalent of
their mythology
- Roman gods were Greek gods with
different names and different
characteristics
aka…Zeus
New Style Developments
As the civilization matured, the Romans began to develop their
own artistic style:
- Highly developed sense of realism: sculptures
had wrinkles, bulges and could be aged…the
Greeks would never do that.
- Lots of portraits: they believed that it was
important to keep the ghost happy after it departed
or it would haunt you.
- As the Roman War Machine marched on, they
came upon new ideas: Around 200AD, they warred
with the Germans which gave them a bloodlust – art
was much more brutal
- As more Christians came into the empire, their
style changed: There was more concern for the soul
– eyes were more expressive, the body was less
important, we see a step away from realism
(Realism further deteriorates as Christianity takes
over in the Middle Ages)
Roman Sculptures - Realism
Roman Sculptures - Portraits
Roman Sculptures – Harsher Styles
Roman Sculptures – Christian Influence
Roman Sculptures – Relief Sculptures
The Romans also used relief sculptures for political influence and
celebrations of victories.
Relief – Sculpture that is raised from its flat background
Roman Architecture
The Ancient Romans were masters of architecture – the designing and
erecting of buildings. Some of the structures they built were:
• Forums - squares which were surrounded by temples, shops, and basilicas
• Basilicas - public buildings
• Baths
• Markets - a five story complex housing shops, bars and restaurants
• Amphitheaters - such as the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus
• Theatres
• Triumphal arches - celebrating the victories of the Romans
• Villas
• Temples
• Roads
• Forts and Stockades
• Towns
• Aqueducts
Roman Architecture – The Coliseum
One of the most impressive pieces of ancient Roman architecture is the
Coliseum. Built for entertainment purposes in 80AD, it can house 50,000
spectators. The Ancient Romans loved their entertainment which was
usually very violent.
• Arena is actually a latin word for sand (used to soak up the blood of the
combatants)
• The floor of the Coliseum was dual level – one level for the entertainers to
perform and a level below to hold the ‘acts’
• Charioteers are usually slaves – if they are successful, they become
superstars
• The loser is at the public mercy – a “thumbs up” sign means that the loser
can live. A “thumbs down” sign means death.
Ludi – Games in Ancient Rome – chariot races, theatrical performances, gladiator
fights, mock sea battles & wild beast shows
Roman Architecture – The Coliseum
Roman Architecture – The Coliseum
Roman Architecture – The Coliseum
Roman Architecture – Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus was the biggest and most important stadium in Rome. It
held over 250,000 people. (One quarter of Rome’s population) It was originally
made of wood, but the emperors Titus and Trajan had it rebuilt in concrete,
brick and stone.
• The Circus Maximus was 623 yards long and 153 yards
wide.
• A charioteer slave could purchase their freedom with prize
money. Some became very rich and famous.
• Much like our sports today, the chariot races were divided
into teams. The spectators got very into supporting their
team, sometimes at the cost of spectator deaths.
Amphitheater – Oval-shaped theater designed for entertainment such as gladiator fighting
Roman Architecture – Circus Maximus
Critical Culture Questions 2
1.
How is architecture related to art and the concepts we’ve been discussing this
entire year?
2.
How were the Romans able to construct their massive structures without the aid
of modern machinery?
3.
Do we see these types of construction elements today?
4.
What are the advantages of roads? What gives them their usefulness? They didn’t
have cars so are there other reasons for the significance of a pathway that is not
made of dirt only?
5.
Since the Ancient Roman Empire was so large, how did it affect their artwork?
Other Roman Artwork - Frescoes
Fresco – wall paintings made to look like marble – paint applied to wet plaster
The Ancient Romans used frescoes in their homes. Frescoes lasted much
longer than traditional paintings because the technique of applying paint
to wet plaster essentially preserved the picture.
Other Roman Artwork - Murals
Mural – large wall painting
Murals were used in large spaces, such as a large villa or a
palace.
Other Roman Artwork - Mosaics
Romans were particularly skilled at mosaics – small colored pebbles cut
down to flat pieces assembled to create a picture. They were able to
achieve very realistic pictures using mosaics. Many Roman mosaics are
still well-preserved.
Other Roman Artwork - Friezes
Frieze – Long patterned band or picture used to decorate a wall
Romans used friezes to decorate temples and
walls – they are relief sculptures. They are used
to depict scenes of war, daily life or religion.
How Do We Know?
We have a vast knowledge of the artwork and culture of Ancient
Rome because of the preservation of the city of Pompeii.
• In 79AD, the volcano Mount
Vesuvius blew, which buried
the prosperous town of
Pompeii besides the Bay of
Naples in lava and ash.
• The city never recovered and
was forgotten over time.
• In 1748, the city was
excavated, in perfect preserved
condition.
How Do We Know?
Since ash buried the entire city, including the insides of homes, the frescoes,
mosaics and style of life was suspended in perfect condition. This includes the
remains of the people caught in the pyroclastic blast. The preserved remains
have provided a large insight into the daily life and art of Ancient Romans.
Critical Culture Questions 3
1.
The Romans were a historically significant military machine – they are often regarded
as the greatest warriors in history. Do you think they might use their artwork to
influence their citizens? Do you see that now?
2.
As we discussed, when Christianity grew in the Roman Empire, skill began to decline.
We know that Christianity really takes over much of the land further on in history
past the Roman Empire, do you think the skill of realism fades further the heavier the
Christian influence grows? Why?
3.
The Greeks cared only about the pinnacle of human achievement and perfection…the
Romans were more concerned with realism…do you feel that this made their society
more successful?
4.
How do you think the longevity of the Egyptian artwork compares to the Roman
artwork? Although the Egyptian artwork has been around longer, both have lasted
longer than 2000 years. In your opinion, who was the most successful? Why?