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Roman

(800 BCE Etruscan – 508 BCE)

509 BCE– 476 AD

Chronology of

Roman History

The Etruscan Period - 700 to 500 BCE – 783 BCE: Rome FoundedBetween the 7th and 6th centuries BCE, the central regions of the Italian peninsula were dominated by the Etruscans,

a Bronze Age people noted for their expert metalwork, who maintained trading ties all through the Mediterranean, including Greece. The Etruscans left an excellent record of their civilization behind in the form of public and

domestic architecture, tomb structures, painting and sculpture.

The Roman Republican Period - 500 to 27 BCE: - 44 BCE: Assassination of Julius CaesarIn the 6th century BCE, the overthrow of a despotic Etruscan king marked the beginning of the Roman Republic, which

was controlled by a patrician group of families who ruled over a much larger lower class. By 275 BCE, the Romans controlled the entire Italian peninsula. Prosperity and expansion followed; first, victory over Carthage and

the western Mediterranean, then Macedonia, Greece, and Gaul.

The Early Roman Empire: from 27 CE - 79 CE: Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius covers Pompeii and HerculaneumThe declaration of Octavian as the first Emperor, Augustus - until the reign of Marcus Aurelius, 180 CE.

The Republican political system broke down under the strain of such expansion, and in 27 BCE, after a period of strife, a more dictatorial Imperial system emerged. The administration of such vast territories and populations required

inspired leadership and skilled governance. Under the Empire a system of civil law developed, and massive physical infrastructure was put in place.

The Late Roman Empire: 180 - 330 CEWhen the capital was moved to Byzantium by the Emperor Constantine.

395 CEDivision of Roman into Eastern and Western Empires

476 CELast Western emperor of Rome deposed

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Historical Background• Early Roman history is close to Etruscan until the revolution in 509 B.C.• Society consisted of Romans, their families, slaves and foreigners• During the Republic, Etruscan cities and land were slowly absorbed by the Roman Republic

Government• Conservative government with two counsels elected annually who exercised the executive powers and in time of war commanded the armies

•Also had a senate and popular assembly•Under this form of government Roman control expanded over all of Italy and across N. Africa•Eventually strain of war and economy resulted in strife and Julius Caesar was elected dictator for life.

ROMAN Ideals:• Supported charities• Managed large household staff• Involved in business affairs and politics• Attended artistic and literary events• Presented important speeches before legal and political gatherings

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RomanArchitecture

(800 BCE Etruscan – 508 BCE)

509 BCE– 476 AD

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The Etruscan City: Orthogonal grid plan with two intersecting main streets.

The city's business center and public amenities were at this intersection. This plan would be further elaborated upon by the Romans into sophisticated urban infrastructures.

The Ruins of Timgad , Algeria (100 CE)

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The Roman Forum

7Etruscan Templar Architecture (reconstruction): Not isolated like Greek religious structures … HEART of the City.

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Maison Carré, Nîmes, France, (c. 20 BCE): Greek temples were freestanding around all four sides of the temple. Roman columns are now partly engaged in the cella wall.

2nd century BCE, Roman builders relied increasingly on the use of an early form of composite concrete. Binder was made from volcanic sand and clay.

Roman architects were interested in space, volume, and in the interchange between interior and exterior space.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio: “De Architectura”

Tuscan Order: derived from the Greek Doric

Composite Order: derived from the Corinthian acanthus leaf motifs, to which was added the Ionic volute.

The column in Roman architecture was employed primarily as a decorative rather than a structural element, and is often seen applied to the façade in the form of an engaged column.

Romans used their practical ingenuity and new-found expertise in engineering techniques to build road and irrigation networks, administrative and commercial centers (forums), marketplaces, amenities such as theatres, oval arenas, racetracks(circuses), public baths, libraries, retirement communities, and housing.

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Pantheon, Rome, Italy (125-28 CE):“All the Gods”

Hemispherical Dome: largest domed structure to date143 ft. in diameter

Rotunda: Circular BuildingCoffered Ceiling: Recessed PanelsOculus: Circular Opening

12Niche: an ornamental recess in a wall or the like, usually semicircular in plan and arched, as for a statue or other decorative object.

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Trajan’s Forum and Basilica, Rome, Italy (113 CE) (reconstruction):

Basilica: large, rectangular building with a rounded extension or apse at each end.

Apse: a semicircular or polygonal termination or recess in a building (usually vaulted)

Colosseum, Rome, Italy (72 CE)

Columns: ground floor are the Tuscan (Doric), the first floor are Ionic, the second floor are Corinthian and the top of floor are Corinthian pilaster in Composite Style

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The arrangement of the seats with the method of reaching them is shown in the sectional plan (right). The seats were arranged in three tiers, one above the other, separated by broad passageways and rising more steeply the farther they were from the arena, and were crowned by an open gallery.

Arch of Constantine, Rome (315 CE)(above)

Arc de Triomphe (right)

Triumphal Arches: erected over the entrance to the major roadway of the city and built to celebrate campaign victories. (Hallmark of Roman Style)

post-and-lintel

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Baths of Carcalla, Rome (211-217 CE)

Baths were opulent palaces of luxury and could accommodate large numbers. Commonly housed gardens, restaurants, gymnasia, hot, warm and cold baths and swimming pools.

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Pompeii (c. 2nd Century BCE)

79 CE: Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

Trompe l'oeil: Visual Deception in Painting

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Pompeii Forum

Linked Pompeii to Naples, Nola, and Stabiae

Villa in Pompeii

1. Vestibule 2. Atrium (interior

open courtyard) 3. Impluvium (pool) 4. triclinium (dining

room) 5. tablinium (reception):

situated on one side of the atrium and opposite to the entrance

6. kitchen 7. bathroom 8. storage 9. Peristyle: A court

enclosed by columns. 10.garden

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RomanFurniture

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RomanCostume

(800 BCE Etruscan – 508 BCE)

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Tebenna Shawls, Naples (5th Century BCE)

Dress in Roman society it was an indicator of rank or status.

Clavi: a vertical stripe or band of purple worn on the tunic by senators and equites (mounted military).

RomanCostume

509 BCE– 476 AD

Roman styles relied more on cutting and sewing, as in the tunic. Most Greek costume is based on rectangular forms, whereas Roman dress used a greater variety of shapes, including elliptical shapes. Wool was used by the Romans, whereas the Greeks preferred the lighter, flowing

qualities of linen. The Romans wore more layers and used more ornamentation and accessories, reflecting differences in social status

among the classes.

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Pater Familias: male head of the household. A businessman and a patron of the arts, and passed the time attending political and cultural events. Much of the day was spent pursuing leisure activities, which might include going to the baths or gymnasium.

Toga: based on the Greek himation, was a large rounded rectangle of fine-woven wool public garment (men only and in public).

Umbo: (pouch)

Clavi: (colored band)

Bulla: neckpiece (to ward off infertility)

MEN

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Togas grew to immense proportions, up to ten yards!

Required wearer to move with care. Left arm was immobilized by the drapery and designed for the physically ideal.

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TUNIC

                                                  

Early Empire Tunic: Undergarments for men consisted of a loincloth, over which was worn a chiton sewn into a tunic, resembling the Greek prototype.

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Late Empire Tunic: Near the end of the Empire, the tunic reached calf-length for the average citizen

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“Brutus Hair Cut”

Early Imperial: Hair was cut short, and brushed forward around the clean-shaven face in the early Empire.

Late Imperial: beards and medium-length hair dressed with filets were seen.

Early Imperial Late Imperial

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Women’s fashion closely resembled the Greek model.

Women’s Tunic and Ionic Chiton

Stola: Outer Tunic with Straps

Palla: based on the Greek himation that paralleled the men’s toga.

WOMEN

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PALLA

                                                                                    The Palla is a simple rectangular drape worn for modesty and protection from the elements.

It could be worn about the shoulders as shown, or drawn over the head. Use a full width of cloth, and hem or just fringe the ends to prevent fraying.

Used to cover head while in public

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Tutulus (c. 90 CE): had many variations and was built up into a cone-shape with pads of false hair, and decorated with wrought metal diadems and interlaced lengths of braided hair.

Hairstyle of the Roman Mater Familias

Women’s hair was often pictured elaborate and often braided and dyed blonde.

False hair was also used.

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Gold jewelry reached a high level of craftsmanship, and quantities of gold earrings, armlets, rings, and filets have been found.

Men and women alike used makeup to reduce the effects of age.

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Strophium: “small twisted thing” could be worn to support breasts.

Subligaria: loin cloth (panties)

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Roman Tunica Patterns Roman Peplos Pattern

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Calcei : Shoes/boots (whole foot covering)Caliga: Leather-laced Sandal (variations called “solea”

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Cuirass/Lorica: Breastplate (generally bronze)… The cuirass was made of front and back sections held together at shoulder and sides with leather buckles. Elaborately sculpted imagery of gorgons and serpents were an essential component

<Cuirass was based on earlier leather Etruscan version (4th century CE)

^ Imperial Rome: “Marriage of Aldobrandi” (fresco) shows the preparation of the bride for the ceremony.

> Scene of anacalypsis: husband drawing aside his newly wed wife's veil in the bridal room. (150-100 BCE)

Discuss these 2 images in regard to the ELEMENTS OF DESIGN