imperial image: visual sources Flashcards
(31 cards)
where is the sebasteion located, and why is it important?
sebasteion: located in aphrodisias, turkey
importance: this is outside of rome - showing the breadth of Augustus’ popularity
when was the sebasteion built, and why is this important?
sebasteion: built between 20-60AD (between Tiberius and Nero’s reigns)
importance: after Augustus’ death, emphasises Augustus’ legacy being maintained
which god(dess) was the sebasteion was dedicated to? why is this important?
sebasteion: dedicated to venus
importance: Augustus claims his lineage to be from her
what styles has the sebasteion been influenced by?
roman (floor plan)
hellenistic (decor)
aphrodisiac (details - e.g. height)
what is the purpose of the sebasteion? what does it portray?
to portray emperors as more divine (especially after death)
what is on the 2nd story of the sebasteion?
- reliefs of personifications of land/people that Augustus conquered
- Greek & Roman mythology figures
what is on the 3rd story of the sebasteion?
- allegorical figures depicting time and place
- roman emperors performing symbolic acts - usually with a god/s present (e.g. Nike)
what are the dates of the building of the mausoleum?
32BCE - work began on the mausoleum
27BCE - opened to the public
23BCE - construction complete
what was the purpose of Augustus building the mausoleum?
- he built the mausoleum to attract civilians (via its size and lavishness)
- to depict himself as heroic (mausoleums were testaments to the power and wealth of those perceived as heroes - part man, part god)
where is the mausoleum located?
campus martius, rome
what was at the top of the mausoleum?
a bronze statue of Augustus
what was located at the front of the mausoleum on its walls?
the Res Gestae
what was the mausoleum named after? what does this imply about augustus?
‘The Mausoleum’ - tomb of Mausolus, a Persian King.
IMPLICATIONS:
- kingly monument - Augustus as kingly?
- taking inspiration from other cultures; emphasis of the vastness of the roman empire
what feature of the mausoleum suggests that augustus might have wanted to be seen as a hellenistic style monarch?
its epic proportions
what was unique about the mausoleum’s architecture?
the shadow cast by the mausoleum, the black obelisk, and the rest of the buildings in campus martius created a huge SUNDIAL.
why is it important that the mausoleum is much larger and greater than other augustan sources?
(think about when it was built in relation to his reign)
having been built at the START of augustus’ reign, it conveyed and asserted his power to the Romans, as their new leader
when was the kalabsha gate built?
kalabsha gate: built in 30BC (just after the battle of actium)
what is the kalabsha gate made out of?
limestone
where are the kalabsha gate’s initial and current locations?
initial location: Bab al-Kalabsha
current location: Egyptian Museum, Berlin
which Nubian god was the kalabsha gate dedicated to?
the sun god Mandulis
this shows the Romans’ tendency not to force their religion on other cultures, but rather integrate roman gods with their own gods
what do the cartouches on the kalabsha gate for?
writing out royal names. (Augustus = kingly?)
what do the reeds that augustus holds on the kalabsha gate symbolise?
reeds: symbolise egypt being rome’s breadbasket
how is augustus depicted on the kalabsha gate?
- egyptian stance
- egyptian clothing
- egyptian crown
(augustus is of the egyptian people, but also their king - emphasising the extent of roman influence globally)
what does augustus standing opposite isis on the kalabsha gate imply?
implies he is of equal position to her - as godly?
