Art of the Roman Empire

Catalog description

This course explores the artistic production of the ancient Romans, from the Late Republic through the Early Christian era, roughly from the birth of Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC) through the death of Emperor Constantine the Great (337 AD). Topics include the artistic patronage of the Roman state and its leading citizens; the historic, social and political context of Roman artworks; the use of art for propagandistic purposes by the emperors and their families; the stylistic and iconographic trends in the capital city and the various provinces; the artistic patronage of the Roman military and the major religious cults; and the visual culture of Early Christianity. Course fee required.