Ancient Roman Art – Amazing Art Forms
The arch, the vault and the dome, these are the basic features of every breathtaking ancient Roman art structure which is popular worldwide. Every temple, theater, bath, and aqueduct from Constantinople to Britannia has the touch of utility and grandeur which has made Roman art an amazing feat to duplicate.
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Ancient Roman Art - Blend of Mediterranean Flavors
The art that spanned Roman civilization from the reign of Romulus to Emperor Constantine is what comprises ancient Roman art
as it is now known. A period covering more than 1,000 years and a vast territory that spreads from Italy to Europe and the Mediterranean certainly made for a rich mixture of Etruscan and Hellenistic influence. Ancient Roman art, for quite a while, had been regarded as unoriginal as undoubtedly the soldiers did ransack and loot fabulous treasures throughout their conquests and had brought Greek artists to enhance their capital in Rome. Added to this is the widespread copying of original Greek statues by Roman artists thereby imprinting Rome with Hellenistic art forever.
Roman Artifacts - Remnants of the Great Roman Army
The legacy of Ancient Rome comprises of such Roman artifacts dating as early as 2nd century BC and as late as 5th century AD. Not surprisingly, the more popular artifacts of interest to collectors are items connected to the great Roman army such as the Gladius/Spatha (standard double-edged sword weapon of the infantry) and its components like the scabbard; armor, helmet and shied fragments; and other military accessories. Other popular Roman artifacts
available include Roman coins, statues, pottery, jewelry, stylus, etc. Prized less for the precious metals that they are sometimes made of, these artifacts are valued more for their historical relevance.
Roman Artists - Grandscale Builders
Initially guilty of copying Greek art, Roman artists nevertheless can still be credited to have made significant and lasting contribution to architecture in the form of the arch which eliminates tensile stresses in spanning an open space thus making it superior in holding horizontal force better than the Greek columns. This innovation is the key to the architectural wonders of the Pantheon and Hagia Sopia. Romans are utilitarian yet enjoyed art in grand scale leading to the construction of beautiful public baths, ampitheatres such as the Colosseum, and triumphal arches which utilize relief sculpture and inscription to commemorate events and communicate the same to the public. Famous artists include Apollodorus who designed the Forum of Trajan and emperor Hadrian, an architect himself, who drew the blueprint of The Temple of Venus and Rome.