hellenistic italy Flashcards
(9 cards)
the early roman ‘lucus’
term utilised meaning clearing or open space -> often natural sacred places not demarcated by any significant architecture - occasionally indicated by marking strones, trees
necessary pre-requisite to emergence of monumental sanctuaries in italy
‘opus caementicium’ - revolutionary roman construction method, literally means ‘cement work’ - mix of aggregate (rubble, stones etc.) bound by mortar containing volcanic ash, lime and water
helped to make large structures efficiently and was incredibly durable
evidence for how monumental sanctuaries were made
epigraphic evidence shows these decisions were made on a local level by leading representatives of local italian communities y
decisions related to desire of involved urban or rural communities to position themselves socially, politically and culturally
Dea Dia at the fifth mile of the Via Campania
epigraphical evidence of the arrival brothers per morning their cults there
a lucus proper - lowest level was a u-shaped porticus, rounded southern parts which presented several closed spaces (papiliones) and balneum - presumable for use of priests, closed sacred complex
construction of suburban sanctuary of hercules victor near Tibur (tivoli)
occupies dominant position in the landscape - direct topographical relationship to towns
inscriptions explicitly state involvement of civic authorities in construction and maintanence of cult spaces
function of sanctuaries in urban and rural contexts
urban: temples serving variety of civic functions - meeting pla e for local senate, bank, museum or archive
rural: where specialised public spaces and buildings were absent, sanctuaries took over even more for public functions - gathering place for rural communities
cult spacers as pole of attraction for the wider population
layout of the sanctuary of hercules victor at tibur
early italic cult spaces focused on ritual and sacred character of natural terrains (only modifying slightly or demarcating for ritual purpose)
sanctuary consists of large platform with porticoes on three sides (porticus triplex), temple building and semi circular stepped sculpture - built into the hillside with minimal disruption to the space
mains construction phrase confirmed in inscription as 80 BC
massive substructure into steep side in opus caementicium
5 superimposed architectural layers (including porticos at top)
base = opus incertum
layer 2 and 3 = arches separated by buttresses
substructure incorporated the pre-existing traffic artery of the Via Tiburtina - roan ran obliquely
various compartments in the substructure opening onto the road - could have been storage or commercial - economic function fully integrated into complex
sanctuary of pietrabbondante
ionic temple erected later half of the third century BC
smaller temple, dubbed temple A built
several other structures in sanctuary area: large atrium type building (domus publica?)
