Rome: Late Empire

Model of ancient Rome

Timeline:

April 21, 753 BC: legendary foundation of Rome

753-509 BC: Monarchy (Etruscan kings)

509-27 BC: Republic(up to Julius Caesar)

27 BC-96 CE: Early Empire(Augustus and Flavian dynasty)

96-192 CE: High Empire(Trajan, Hadrian & Antonine dynasty)

193-337 CE: Late Empire(Severan dynasty and soldier emperors up to Constantine I)

Orestes myth Sarcophagus, mid-2nd cent. CE

Burial customs

Orestes myth Sarcophagus, mid-2nd cent. CE

Asiatic sarcophagus from Melfi, Italy, late 2nd cent.

Asiatic sarcophagus from Melfi, Italy, late 2nd cent.

2nd cent. Mummy portraits, Fayum, Egypt, encaustic on wood

Pompeii, 4th Style portrait of a married couple, 1st cent CE

2nd cent. Mummy portrait, Fayum, EgyptEncaustic on wood, 1’4” high

Portrait of Caracalla, ca. 215 CE

Portrait of Trajan Decius, ca. 250 CE

3rd-century imperial portraiture

Tetrarchy under Diocletian, 284 to 305

Church of San Marco, Venice

Statue group of the Tetrarchs, today displayed at San MarcoPorphyry, 4’3” high

Reconstruction showing how the statues were set up at the Philadelphion in Constantinople.

Palace of Diocletian, Split, CroatiaCa. 300 CE

Palace of Diocletian, Split, CroatiaCa. 300 CE

Palace of Diocletian, Split, Croatia

Asiatic sarcophagus from Melfi, Italy, late 2nd cent.

Tetrarchy under Diocletian, 284 to 305,And the rise of Constantine

Coin of Constantine I

Rome, Arch of Constantine, 312-315

Arch of Titus, Rome, 81 CE

Rome, Arch of Constantine, 312-315

Diagram of the Arch of Constantine. The colors indicate the dating of the decorative elements.

Rome, Arch of Constantine, detail

Frieze from the arch of Constantine: Constantine distributing largesse

Rome, Arch of Constantine, detail