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Roman Portraiture Flashcards

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1
Q

When did Caesar Augustus reign from?

A

27BC - 14AD

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2
Q

When was the battle of Actium?

A

31 BC

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3
Q

What is the Primaporta Augustus based off of?

A

Doryphorus, 5th century BC Greece, by Polykleitos

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4
Q

How tall is the Primaporta?

A

2.08m

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5
Q

What is the significance of the support on the Primaporta?

A

Cupid = Venus son = half brother of Aeneas = Augustus is descended from Aeneas

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6
Q

What is on AUgustus’ breastplate?

A

Top (L-R): Helios in a chariot, Caelus spreading mantle, Dawn riding on a winged female figure.
Centre: Two seated women (l/r), Parthian returns legionary standard in 20 BC
Bottom (L-R): Apollo riding a griffin, Tellus with cornucopia and babies, Diana riding a stag.

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7
Q

What is Augustus wearing in the Via Labicana statue?

A

Toga

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8
Q

What does the position of his hand indicate Augustus is holding in the Via Labicana statue?

A

Paterae (act of giving a sacrifice).

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9
Q

When did Caligula reign?

A

37-41 AD

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10
Q

When was the statue of Caligula made?

A

42-43AD

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11
Q

When did Claudius reign?

A

41-54AD

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12
Q

How tall is the statue of Claudius?

A

2.54

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13
Q

What is the eagle on Claudius’ statue a symbol of?

A

Jupiter, Rome

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14
Q

What demonstrates Claudius’ religious pietas?

A

Oak wreath and paterae

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15
Q

Why would Claudius return to a republican art style?

A

To reassure his audience that he would not be like Caligula

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16
Q

When was Messalina statue created?

A

45AD

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17
Q

Why was Messalina killed? How else was she punished?

A

Committed bigamy in 48AD after marrying Claudius ten years prior. She was sentenced to Damnatio Memoriae.

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18
Q

What is the statue of Messalina based on?

A

Greek sculpture Eirene and Ploutos (Peace and wealth)

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19
Q

What is the Latin term for female sexual modesty?

A

Pudicita

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20
Q

What is the clothing Messalina wears called?

A

Tunica and palla

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21
Q

When did Nero reign from?

A

54-68AD

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22
Q

Where was the portrait of Nero and Agrippina found?

A

Sebastian, in Aphrodisias, built first century CE. Alongside Greek heroes.

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23
Q

What is the symbolism in the Nero and Agrippina portrait?

A

Agrippina crowning Nero with laurel wreath. Nero has helmet next to him. Herculean knot. Fruit bowl next to Agrippina. Augustan features.

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24
Q

When was the portrait of Vespasian built?

A

70-79

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25
When did Vespasian reign from? What dynasty was he from? How was this significant?
69-79. Flavian dynasty. First emperor from the equestrian class.
26
Where did Vespasian build the Flavian Amphitheatre? How was it funded?
Where Nero had planned to build the Domus Aurea. Funded by him personally.
27
What art style is Vespasian's portrait in?
Verism
28
What is the technique used to make Vespasian look older? What period of a time is this a reference to?
Chiaroscuro | Republican art
29
When was the statue of Trajan built?
110AD
30
When did Trajan reign? What was his dynasty?
98-117 AD. Adoptive.
31
What was Trajan nicknamed? Where was he born? What is he best known for?
Optimus princeps. Spain. ROme is biggest under his rule.
32
When did Trajan conquer Dacia?
101-2 | 105-6
33
What is the style of art Trajan's statue is in?
Realism
34
What is the symbolism on Trajans breastplate?
Medus head. Griffins and candelabra = revenge, imperial power, symbol of eternity. Acanthus frieze.
35
When was the bronze bust of Hadrian built?
132-133AD
36
When did Hadrian reign from? What was his dynasty?
117-138. Adoptive
37
When and why did the Bar Kokhba break out?
130AD; Hadrian visits Judea, builds a Temple of Jupiter on the Temple of Solomon, rebuilds Judea and calls it "Syria Palaestina" and does not allow Jews into the city. Revolt with guerrilla warfare breaks out in 132C.E.
38
Which culture was Hadrian a big fan of?
Greek
39
What good acts is Hadrian known for?
Rebuilt the Pantheon, travelled with soldiers. Receded some territory brought in by Trajan to stabilise the empire. Travelled the empire extensively to assess it and make himself known.
40
What is depicted on Hadrians breastplate?
Six nude warriors; duel between Aeneas and Turnus the King of the Rutuli. Allegorical of Bar Kokhba revolt. Herculean knot Palladium cloak
41
What is different about how Hadrian is depicted?
Curly hair; represents how real soldiers would have looked and links back to the Greek ideals of beauty. First one with pupils.
42
When was the Marcus Aurelius on horseback built?
164AD
43
When did Marcus Aurelius reign from? What dynasty?
161-180AD . Antonine
44
What is the art style of the Marcus Aurelius portrait?
Naturalism
45
What is potentially missing from the Marcus Aurelius statue?
A Parthian lying underneath the horse
46
How big is the Marcus Aurelius statue? What was it made of?
4.24 m. Bronze and gold
47
What is significant about Marcus Aurelius' face?
Philosopher beard likens back to Socrates
48
What does Marcus Aurelius wear and what does this show?
Tunic and military coat. This shows his power but is not as excessive as wearing a cuirass.
49
When was the bust of Commodus built?
192AD
50
When did Commodus reign? What was his dynasty?
177-192. Antonine.
51
How did Commodus die?
Murdered because of his megalomaniacal behaviour
52
What Herculean imagery is in the bust of Commodus?
Nemean Lion. Herculean Club. Apples of Hesperides (12 Labours, apples equal virtus and immortality). Herculean Knot.
53
What other imagery is used in the portrait of Commodus?
Kneeling Amazon represents conquered provinces. The two cornucopia below suggest prosperity. Medusa head would mean protection.
54
When was the Bust of Caracalla built?
215-217AD
55
When did Caracalla reign? What dynasty was he in?
198-217AD. Severian dynasty.
56
Who did Caracalla assassinate?
Brother Geta in 212AD. Wife. Father in law. | Intellectuals, 20,000 people in Alexandria.
57
Which group of Roman society supported Caracalla? Why?
Military. He increased taxes to pay them more.
58
What elements of the portrait hint at Caracalla's severe nature?
Purple rock for bottom; suggests royalty and blood. Simple haircut suggests directness; different to Commodus' extravagance. Clothing implies military leadership. Hard lines in the face suggest severity.
59
Why was Caligula initially well loved?
Son of Germanicus, and overturned Tiberius' reforms.
60
What did Caligula do that was seen as unacceptable?
To raise money; set up a brothel on the Palatine Hill. Removed the heads from Greek god statues and put his head on them. Stole the wives of senators. Eliminated political rivals, forced parents to watch executions of their sons, declared he was a living god.
61
Which Julio-Claudian initiated the first major expansion of Rome since Augustus?
Claudius
62
Why did Claudius have such a negative reputation?
Seen to be controlled by women and freedman (he was protective of slaves). Enrolled Gauls into the Senate, and elevated the equestrian class.
63
How old was Nero when he came to power?
17
64
Who did Nero murder that was close to him?
Agrippina, notoriously manipulative mother, wife and niece of Claudius
65
What about Vespasian's background made him seem worthy of trust and respect?
Father was an 'honest tax collector.' From the Sabine Hills; traditional hard working Romans. Capable of taking a joke; seen as friendly and approachable. Suetonius: "Vespasian never rejoiced in the death of anyone."
66
Who was the paranoid and hated leader that preceded Trajan?
Domition
67
When and how was the Bar Kokhba revolt suppressed? What were the casualties?
136C.E after a successful siege of a Jewish city. Half a million dead Jews and over 1000 towns and villages destroyed.
68
When was Marcus Aurelius at war with the Parthians?
161-166CE
69
Why was Commodus hated?
Participated in gladiator games; killed helpless animals. Filled Senate with yes men. Tried to rename Rome and calendar. Vain; gold dust in his curly hair.
70
What unpopular policy of Tiberius' reign did Caligula restore?
Treason trials
71
Where and by who was Caligula murdered?
Murdered at Palatine Games by Praetorian guard in 41AD.
72
Caligula: "Let them
hate me, so long as they fear me."
73
Wh was Claudius thought as dim-witted?
Limped, drooled, often stammered.
74
What popular things did Claudius do during his reign?
Agrarian reform, imported corn to feed citizens after riots, abolished treason trials, expanded into Middle East, Balkans, and Britain.
75
What did Dio say of Claudius?
"It was not these infirmities, however, that caused the deterioration of Claudius so much as it was the freedman and the women with whom he associated."
76
How did Claudius die?
Suspected to be killed by Agrippina
77
Why was Nero hated?
Forced senators to listen to his music, stabbed mother to death, Great Fire in 64CE.
78
How Did Nero die, and how did citizens respond?
Suicide. Suetonius: "Citizens ran through the streets wearing caps of liberty as though they were freed slaves."
79
Dio on Trajan:
"Most conspicuous for his justice, for his bravery, and for the simplicity of his habits."
80
What was Trajan's legacy?
Rebuilt roads, aqueducts, public baths. Provided for children of the poor. Undid harm of Domition. Built the Forum of Trajan and Trajan's column.
81
How did Commodus continue Roman politics?
Ended the reign of the Five Good Emperors and the Past Romana
82
What did Commodus do to the Senate?
Made to declare Commodus a living god, call him Hercules, rename the months.
83
How was Commodus killed?
Choked to death by his fitness coach Narcissus.
84
When Caracalla kill his brother? How else was he punished?
212. Sentenced to damnatio memoriae.

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