THE ROMAN EMPIREGARDNER CHAPTER 10-6

PP. 276-280

LATE EMPIRE The two centuries of the Pax Romana -> in

the Late Empire 193-337 CE Roman power begins to erode

Difficult to keep order on the borders

Emperor Commodus r. 180-192 is assassinated ending the Antonine dynasty

Economy in decline

Imperial bureaucracy disintegrating

The official state religion was losing ground to Eastern cults

Late Empire is pivotal period when pagan ancient world gradually transforms into the Christian Middle Ages

THE SEVERANS Civil conflict follow’s the

assassination of Commodus

African born general Septimius Severus (r. 193-211) becomes emperor

He establishes a dynasty that will rule for nearly half a century

SEVERAN PORTRAITURE After the civil war Severus declares that he

was adopted son of Marcus Aurelius

Portraits of the emperor show him with the long hair and beard of his Antonine “father”

Painted portrait of Septimius Severus and his family, from Egypt, ca. 200 CE, tempera on wood

Only surviving painting of an emperor

Presented as aging w/gray hair -> two sons, Caracalla has his borther murdered and makes the Senate damn Gela’s memory -> figure blotted out on the TONDO

CARACALLA

Portrait of Caracalla, ca. 211-217 CE, marble, 1’2” high

Portrait bust renders physical likeness as well as character portrayal

In life a ruthless tyrant, in sculpture a hard-nosed, stern, and suspicious face

Downturned mustache and lines over eyes contribute to harsh characterization

LEPCIS

MAGNA Chariot procession of Septimius

Severus, relief from the attic of the Arch of Severus, Lepcis Magna, Libya, 203 CE, marble

Unlike the triumph panel of the Arch of Titus this gives no sense of rushing motion -> instead, stately stillness

Frontality and floating figures -> new to Roman art -> non-Classical style

The new aesthetic relates to social. Political, and economic upheaval

New non-naturalistic, more abstract style = Late Antique Style

BATHS OF CARACALLA

Baths of Caracalla, Rome, Italy, 212-216 CE

Could accommodate 1600 bathers -> resembled modern health spa -> included libraries, lecture halls, and exercise courts plus bathing rooms and swimming pool

Design was symmetrical along a central axis -> sequestial plunges in tepidarium, caldarium, and frigidarium

Stuccoed vaults, mosaic floors, marble faced walls, and marble statuary

THE SOLDIER EMPERORS

Severan dynasty ends in 235 CE -> half century of civil war follows -> one general after another is declared emperor by his troops then murdered by another general

Little to no significant building activity happened in Rome during this time

TRAJAN DECIUS

Portrait bust of Trajan Decius, 249-251 CE, marble, 2’7”

Portrait of a short lived “soldier emperor” -> depicts an older man w/bags under his eyes and a sad expression

The eyes glance away nervously, reflecting the anxiety of an insecure ruler

TREBONIANUS GALLUS Heroic portrait of Trebonianus

Gallus, from Rome, Italy, 251-253 CE, bronze, 7’11” high

Over-life-size heroically nude statue -> projects brute force

Heavy set body w/massive legs and swollen trunk -> face has nervous expression

LUDOVISI BATTLE SARCOPHAGUS

Battle of Romans and barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), from Rome, Italy, ca. 250-260 CE, marble, 5’ high

Extremely crowded surface with figures piled on top of one another

Figures lack individuality

Confusion of battle is echoed by congested composition

Roman army trounces bearded and defeated barbarians

Youthful Roman general appears at center top w/no weapons and is only Roman w/no helmet -> invincible/needs no protection