AH/CL 261 - The Splendor of Roman Art

The course traces the development of Roman art from the Etruscans to the age of Constantine. Landmark monuments effectively illustrate the Roman idea of city, the language of imperial propaganda and the importance of public building programs. Media such as painting, mosaics, sculpture and the minor arts offer a clear indication of the social, cultural and ideological forces at work in the Roman world. Historical reliefs, decorated house interiors, painted vessels, coins and sarcophagi, demonstrate an engagingly rich spectrum of imagery ranging from Greek myths to historical events, from scenes of daily life to imposing imperial portraiture. The course also investigates how art acted as catalyst in the process of Romanization and examines the centrifugal force it lent to Rome’s influence over its provinces.