What is the Ara Pacis Augustae?
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A monumental altar dedicated to Augustus, vowed in 13 BCE and dedicated in 9 BCE.
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What is the Ara Pacis Augustae?
A monumental altar dedicated to Augustus, vowed in 13 BCE and dedicated in 9 BCE.
Who became the perpetual dictator in 46 BCE?
Julius Caesar.
What material is the veristic male portrait made of?
Marble.
What was the purpose of the Roman Forum?
It served as a market and meeting place in the heart of cities and towns under Roman rule.
Who was the first Roman emperor?
Augustus.
What is the approximate width of the altar of the Ara Pacis?
35 feet (10.7 meters).
What is the presumed foundation of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus?
Cella of Jupiter.
What architectural innovation had a lasting impact on Western building?
Roman architecture.
What is an impluvium?
A shallow pool in the atrium to collect rainwater.
What practice continued into the Empire regarding narrative reliefs?
The commissioning of narrative reliefs to record specific events.
What architectural elements show Greek influence in the Temple of Jupiter?
Rectilinear forms, use of columns, and a gabled roof.
What is the keystone in an arch?
The last stone laid that locks in the other arch stones (voussoirs).
What time period does the Roman Empire cover?
31 BCE-395 CE.
Who became the principal patrons of public art and architecture in Rome?
The emperor and his family.
What animals are depicted being escorted for sacrifice in the reliefs?
A bull, a sheep, and a pig.
What is the name of the wall painting style found in the Ixion Room of the House of the Vettii?
Fourth Style wall painting.
When did Augustus win power and become emperor?
Won power in 31 BCE and became emperor in 27 BCE.
What is the Latin name for elite Roman houses?
Domus.
What was a key aspect of Augustus' foreign policy?
Cautiously expansionist, keeping costs in treasure and lives low.
How tall is the relief sculpture on the south frieze of the Ara Pacis?
63 inches (1.6 meters).
Which architectural styles influenced Roman builders?
Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles.
What was the extent of the Roman Empire at its largest under Trajan?
It stretched through most of Europe, northern England, much of the Middle East, and coastal North Africa.
What time period does the Roman Republic cover?
510-31 BCE.
During which years was the Ixion Room painted?
63-79 CE.
What event preserved the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum?
The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE.
What is recognized as the first Roman emperor?
Augustus Caesar.
Who is credited with the design of Trajan's Column?
Apollodorus, Trajan's military architect.
What period did the Roman Empire begin?
Around 330 CE.
What material did Roman builders discover that contributed to the durability of their structures?
Concrete.
How did Augustus influence the portraiture of his successors?
His successors' portraits resembled him to draw authority, despite rare blood relations.
What did Augustus proclaim regarding the Republic?
That it was restored.
What is the significance of the Ixion Room in the House of the Vettii?
It combines imitation marble paneling, framed mythological scenes, and fantastic architectural vistas.
What values did the Romans pride themselves on?
Connection to the land and rural values.
What was a significant feature of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus?
It stood on a high masonry platform with steps leading up to the façade.
What style did Augustus choose for his portraits?
A more Hellenizing style, depicting him as an ageless youth.
What architectural features were present at the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia?
A temple, a basilica, and a senate house at the bottom, with upper terraces rising around a central axis.
What materials were used in the construction of the Ara Pacis Augustae?
Marble.
What title was awarded to Augustus by the Roman Senate?
Pater Patriae (Father of His Country).
What does the south frieze of the Ara Pacis Augustae depict?
An Imperial Procession.
When was the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia built?
Late second century BCE.
What themes are depicted in the rites associated with the Dionysiac mysteries?
Initiation into womanhood or marriage, conducted in the presence of Dionysos and Ariadne.
What message was Augustus intent on promoting through the panels?
The message of peace, contrasting with the civil wars.
How long is the narrative relief on Trajan's Column?
656 feet long.
How did Roman institutions interact with indigenous ones?
They mingled, leading to a degree of homogenization across the Roman world.
What surrounds the garden in the House of the Vettii?
A colonnade, known as the peristyle.
Who was the first to construct a permanent amphitheater in Rome?
Vespasian.
What is the Temple of Portunus often misnamed?
Temple of Fortuna Virilis.
What was the role of paintings in Roman homes according to recent scholarship?
They affected experience, dictated movement, and expressed the owner's status.
What is true fresco (buon fresco)?
Painting with water-based colored pigments directly onto fresh, still-damp plaster.
Who distinguished the four phases of Pompeian wall painting?
The late nineteenth-century German art historian August Mau.
How does the relief on Trajan's Column compare to earlier visual narratives?
It is the most ambitious composition in terms of the number of figures and narrative density.
What innovation did Second Style painters introduce?
They opened up the flat expanse of the wall by including architectural features and figures to suggest a fantasy realm.
What ancient peoples left abundant evidence of domestic architecture?
The Romans.
Who are the legendary founders of Rome depicted in the panel?
Romulus and Remus.
Which museum houses the veristic male portrait?
Musei Vaticani, Rome.
What significant feature does the Temple of Jupiter have?
Three parallel cellas for cult statues of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.
What does the Primaporta Augustus exemplify in Roman art?
The tendency to express messages through references to earlier works.
What is the significance of the atrium in the House of the Vettii?
It serves as a central space around which other rooms, like bedrooms, are grouped.
What characterized the Third Style of Roman wall decoration?
Abandonment of illusionism in favor of solid planes of intense colors like black and red.
What do the continuous procession friezes on the north and south sides portray?
Members of the imperial family, priests, and senators.
Who commissioned works of architecture and sculpture during the Republic and Empire?
Magistrates and emperors.
What defines a mural?
A painted image made on or attached to a particular wall.
How did Roman art draw from Greek styles?
Much of Roman public art was heavily influenced by Greek styles.
What is fresco?
A specific wall-painting technique favored in Italy from Roman times through the eighteenth century.
How are individual scenes presented on Trajan's Column?
They merge into a continuous whole, with chief figures appearing multiple times.
What is concrete made of?
A mixture of mortar and pieces of aggregate such as tufa, limestone, or brick.
What is a groin vault?
A vault formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults, favored in Roman architecture.
What is the significance of the bay in architecture?
It is the area enclosed within four corner piers.
How did Roman sculpture differ from Greek sculpture?
Roman sculpture represented actual events, while Greek sculpture often disguised historical events in mythical contexts.
What is the Fourth, or Intricate, Style known for?
A more extravagant painterly style showcasing a range of decorative idioms.
What are the key virtues of Stoicism as expressed by Marcus Aurelius?
Enduring sacrifice and hardship for the sake of moral principle.
In which historical site is the Ixion Room located?
House of the Vettii in Pompeii.
What challenges do viewers face when interpreting the Forum of Trajan's narrative?
The upper spirals are hard to make out, and an encircling motion is required to view them properly.
What is Trajan's Column known for?
Its sheer scale and role as a belvedere, making it a world wonder.
How did the designer of Trajan's Column enhance the visibility of important scenes?
By aligning important scenes on the cardinal axes of the column.
What does the relief at the east end depict?
The goddess Roma seated on her weapons and a female figure embodying peace.
What was the significance of the Capitoline Hill?
It was the highest hill and the religious center of the city from earliest times.
What materials were prominently used in the construction of the Forum of Trajan?
Colored marbles and abundant sculpture.
What were the advantages of using concrete in Roman construction?
It was strong, cheap, and could be worked by relatively unskilled laborers.
How did local climates influence Roman domestic architecture?
Houses differed from one region to another to cater to local climates.
What do the relief panels on the east and west sides of the Ara Pacis represent?
Personifications or gods, and figures from Rome's history.
How did Roman painters often create their works?
By using copybooks or adapting images from Greek originals.
What does the Column of Trajan commemorate?
Trajan's military accomplishments.
What was the catalyst for dramatic changes in Roman architecture?
The development of concrete.
What characterized the portrait sculptures during the Late Empire?
A harsh, soldierly quality intended to appeal to the military.
What historical figure does Augustus' hairstyle reference?
Alexander the Great.
What is a triumphal arch?
A wide, round-arched, free-standing gateway celebrating a victor or benefactor.
What significant event is associated with Augustus' breastplate?
The diplomatic victory in 20 BCE when the Parthians returned standards.
What characteristics are emphasized in the veristic portraits of Roman figures?
Wrinkles, distinguishing marks like warts, and a realistic depiction of age.
Who was the founder of Stoicism, which influenced Marcus Aurelius?
Zeno, a fourth-century Greek philosopher.
What is the time period of the veristic male portrait mentioned?
Early first century BC.
What type of scenes are commonly repeated in the relief of Trajan's Column?
Formulaic scenes such as sacrifice scenes, the emperor addressing troops, and soldiers constructing forts.
What animal suckled Romulus and Remus when they were abandoned?
A she-wolf.
What qualities did age convey in Roman portraiture?
Responsibility and experience, important for winning votes for political office.
What does the continuous narrative relief on Trajan's Column celebrate?
Emperor Trajan's victorious campaigns against the Dacians.
What distinguishes Roman arches from Gothic arches?
Roman arches are semicircular, while Gothic arches are pointed.
What is a tablinum?
The principal reception room in a Roman house where family records were kept.
What was the significance of the Dacian Wars as depicted in the Forum of Trajan?
They were portrayed as bringing great benefit to Rome, serving as visual propaganda.
What distinguishes Roman temples from Greek temples?
High podium and emphatic frontal access.
What should scholars be cautious about regarding Roman houses?
The concept of a 'typical' Roman house.
Who exemplified the ideal Roman through his actions?
Cincinnatus.
What is syncretism in the context of Roman art?
It refers to the blending of diverse elements to create something new, reflecting a Roman attitude.
What does the contrapposto stance in Augustus' statue signify?
It evokes classical references and strengthens Augustus' claim to authority.
What is dry fresco (secco)?
Pigments painted on dry plaster, less durable than true fresco.
What characterizes the First, or Incrustation, Style?
The wall is painted to imitate masonry blocks, with no figured scenes.
What is the focus of the Second, or Architectural, Style?
Illusionistic architectural vistas.
Why did the gilded bronze portrait of Marcus Aurelius survive the medieval period?
Because Christians misidentified it as Constantine the Great, champion of Christianity.
What philosophical ideas are reflected in the writings of Marcus Aurelius?
Stoic philosophy, emphasizing impassive detachment and moral principle.
What title was given to Octavian by the Senate in 27 BCE?
Augustus Caesar.
What is the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia known for?
It is a masterpiece of concrete construction located in Palestrina, Italy.
What is the most distinctive feature of a domus?
An atrium.
What is the purpose of centering in arch construction?
It serves as a temporary wooden scaffold over which arches are constructed.
Who crafted the vast terra-cotta acroterion for the Temple of Jupiter?
Vulca of Veii.
What role did the atrium serve in Roman houses?
It was where Romans kept ancestral portraits.
Where were narrative reliefs typically mounted?
On public buildings and monuments, such as the Ara Pacis and the Arch of Titus.
What do the sculptural reliefs from the statue base depict?
A sea thiasos and a census.
What significant event might the friezes be recording?
A sacrifice or the moment of the altar's dedication.
What aspect of the Dacian campaigns receives more attention in the relief?
Geographic and logistic aspects rather than combat.
What is a barrel vault?
A continuous arch built on the principle of the semicircular arch.
What was the client-patron relationship in Roman society?
Clients routinely visited their patrons in their homes, reflecting social dynamics.
Who is traditionally credited with founding Rome?
Romulus, in 753 BCE.
What artistic technique is emphasized in Roman portraits from the second half of the second century CE?
A strong play of light and shadow deep into the marble.
What does the figure of Cupid on Augustus' statue symbolize?
Augustus' claim of descent from the goddess Venus.
What is notable about the eyes in portraits from this period?
They have heavy lids that lend a remote quality.
What event is depicted in the reliefs that likely decorated a base for a statue group?
A census ceremony where individuals recorded their property with the state.
Where was the first Roman Forum located?
In a marshy valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills.
What was the purpose of the Forum of Trajan?
To serve as a backdrop for civic and religious functions and to curry favor with the populace.
Who was declared Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE?
Octavian.
What was the first truly monumental building of Rome?
The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.
What is the broad term used for painting on wall-like surfaces?
All painting.
What significant event begins the narrative on Trajan's Column?
The Roman army crossing the Danube to reach Dacian territory.
What are the extrados and intrados of an arch?
The extrados is the outside curve, and the intrados is the inside curve of the arch.
What period do the sculptural reliefs date back to?
Late second to early first century BCE.
What was the primary purpose of the amphitheater constructed by Vespasian?
To host gladiatorial games central to Roman entertainment.
What Latin word sums up the Roman values of duty and seriousness?
Gravitas.
What makes understanding the narrative on Trajan's Column complicated?
The need to turn around the column to follow the sequence.
What features were common in imperial portraits during the Late Empire?
Short cropped hair, beards, furrowed brows, and careworn features.
How did Roman portraits change in the second half of the second century CE?
They gradually took on a more abstract quality, especially in the treatment of the eyes.
What distinguishes SATYRS from SILENI in Greek mythology?
SATYRS are phallic, goatish beings, while SILENI are older, usually bald, and always bearded.
What gesture is Marcus Aurelius depicted making in his equestrian statue?
An outstretched arm in a gesture of mercy.
What role did hairstyles play in dating female portraits?
Hairstyles changed rapidly, providing clues for dating the portraits.
How did Roman builders mold concrete into various shapes?
By constructing wooden frameworks into which the concrete would be poured.
What was significant about Domitia Longina's hairstyle?
It reflected her status and allowed exploration of texture contrasts in sculpture.
What was the function of the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia?
It served as an oracular center where priests interpreted divine will by drawing lots.
What two figures flank the altar in the reliefs?
A statue of Mars, the god of war, and the officiating censor.
Why is barrel vaulting usually supported by heavy walls or buttresses?
Because it exerts enormous pressure both outward and downward.
What is the definition of a monumental altar?
A large and grand marble or stone structure built to honor a divinity.
What does the marriage procession in the reliefs represent?
The marriage of the sea-god Neptune and the sea-nymph Amphitrite.
How do the styles of the census relief and the sea thiasos relief differ?
The census relief is static, while the sea thiasos relief has swirling motion and Hellenistic forms.
What is historical relief in Roman sculpture?
A form of sculpture that commemorates specific events, often not historically accurate.
What is a common feature of male portraits from the second and third centuries CE?
They are typically bearded.
How did Roman houses typically maintain privacy?
Walls facing the street usually did not have windows, but they were not particularly private as rooms were often used as shops.
What does the preservation of Roman houses in places like Morocco and Jordan indicate?
The durability of Roman domestic construction.
What architectural feature does the Column of Trajan include?
A spiral staircase leading to a viewing platform.
What does the design of the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia aim to enhance for visitors?
It controlled and heightened the visitor's experience.
What characterizes the First Style of Pompeian wall painting?
Artists used paint and stucco to imitate expensive colored marble paneling.
What led to the influx of Greek art and culture into Rome?
The Roman domination of Greece and Asia Minor during the second century BCE.
What is the term used to describe the overly realistic style of Roman portrait sculpture?
Veristic.
What does the raised front leg of the horse in the statue symbolize?
It once rested on a conquered barbarian.
What significant changes occurred around 509 BCE in Rome?
The Roman elite expelled the last king and established a Republic.
Who restored imperial authority after a period of civil war?
Diocletian (r. 284-305 CE).
What is the significance of the Villa of the Mysteries in relation to wall painting?
It features rich mottled colors on the walls to resemble exotic stone, dating from about 60 to 50 BCE.
What custom began in the early Republic regarding statues?
Honoring political or military figures by displaying their statues, often in the Roman Forum.
What does the Third, or Ornate, Style emphasize?
A delicate decorative scheme concentrating on formal ornament.
What are two possible origins for the Roman practice of producing likenesses?
Greek custom of votive statues and Italic practice of storing ancestral masks.
