Life Myth And Art In Ancient Rome

Inspired by the achievements of the ancient Greeks, the Romans made their city the center of an empire unsurpassed in size and influence for more than a thousand years. Its rich legacy shaped the medieval world and continues to amaze us today. Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Rome celebrates the many achievements of Roman culture and delves into its fascinating dark side. Romans erected structures so well-built and engineered that they still stand millennia later, yet these same buildings also showcased blood sports as public entertainment. The Romans instituted just government, impartial legal and political institutions, and concepts of citizenship, yet its population included slaves as well as patricians and plebeians, and was often riven by intrigue, superstition, and savagery. This volume is a richly illustrated introduction to a fascinating, at times paradoxical, civilization and its art and architecture, ranging from magnificent temples and aqueducts, to exquisite mosaics and jewelry. Placing the art in its cultural context, the author covers themes that have long inspired the Western imagination, including the rise and fall of emperors, the life and death of the gladiator, the belief in omens and prophecy, and, ultimately, the establishment of Christianity.

'Ancient Rome' celebrates the many great achievements of the Romans- not only the wealth of superb architecture, myths and literature they bequeathed to us, but also their long-lasting impact on Western civilzation through their development of government and law. Looking at the whole breadth of Roman life, myth and art, and tracing the connections between them, this superbly illustrated book takes us one step closer to understanding this extraordinary civilsation, which left a permanet mark on all the lands it embraced.

Presents an introduction to the ancient civilization of Rome, discussing its history, politics, military conquests, art, religion, literature, everyday life, and gods and goddesses.

A complete introduction to the rich cultural legacy of Rome through the study of Roman art ... It includes a discussion of the relevance of Rome to the modern world, a short historical overview, and descriptions of forty-five works of art in the Roman collection organized in three thematic sections: Power and Authority in Roman Portraiture; Myth, Religion, and the Afterlife; and Daily Life in Ancient Rome. This resource also provides lesson plans and classroom activities."--Publisher website.

Even today the economic powerhouse of modern China takes strength and nourishment from its legacy of antiquity. Ancient China illuminates this venerable heritage with unprecedented scholarship and vividness.

A HISTORY OF ROMAN ART The new edition of the leading textbook on Roman art, updated with new images and expanded geographic and cultural scope A History of Roman Art is an expansive survey of the painting, mosaic, sculpture, decorative arts, and architecture of ancient Rome. This acclaimed textbook provides a fully-illustrated narrative history of Roman art that spans a millennium, from the early origins of Rome to the era of Emperor Constantine. Interwoven throughout the text are themes of Rome's cultural inclusiveness and the importance of art in promoting Roman values, helping students understand how diverse cultures contributed to Roman life. Accessible, chronologically-organized chapters provide numerous examples of the arts, their cultural and historical context, descriptions of artistic techniques, and writings by ancient authors—enabling students to develop a rich appreciation of art’s importance in the Roman world. Now in its second edition, this market-leading textbook features thoroughly revised content throughout. Additional images and excerpts from literary sources are complemented by new historical discussions of metalwork, carved gems, glass, and sarcophagi. This edition features more maps and illustrations, in-depth analysis of iconography, greater emphasis on the types of objects used to decorate the lives of ordinary Romans, expanded coverage of freedmen and women as artists, subjects, and patrons, and much more. A number of works that represent popular art have been added. That is, art in the everyday Roman world, rather than just the large scale works of sculpture and architecture of elite patrons. It also reveals patterns of artistic workshops, trade, and social and economic networks. Additionally, this edition takes into account new approaches in scholarship. This comprehensive textbook: Provides a thorough introduction to Roman art history featuring more than 400 high quality images and illustrations Includes a full set of pedagogical tools, such as historical timelines, key term definitions, and updated references and further reading suggestions Offers “Scholarly Perspective,” “A View from the Provinces,” “More on Myth,” and “Art and Literature” textboxes in each chapter Includes a companion website containing PowerPoint slides and additional instructor resources A History of Roman Art, Second Edition is an ideal primary or secondary text for courses on Roman art and archaeology, Roman art and architecture, Greek and Roman art, and general Roman civilization, history, and culture.

Ancient Egypt includes accounts of key themes that have long preoccupied the popular imagination, including the religious mysteries of the great temples of Karnak and Luxor and the secrets of the hieroglyphs.

From stepped temples to exquisite stone carvings and jewelry, the ancient prophetic culture of Mesoamerica is vividly revealed within these pages. This book is a richly illustrated introduction to the civilization of the Maya people, the longest-lived and most widely spread of the great cultures of pre-Columbian America. Their tremendous artistic legacy can still be seen today in spectacular temple complexes, which continue to inspire awe and fascination. This civilization continues to capture and beguile the imagination, thanks to the mysteries of its prophecies, the secrets of its cryptic language, and the astonishing accuracy of its astronomer-priests in charting the movements of stars and planets. Readers will see that the glory of Maya art extends to intricate stone carvings, breathtakingly vivid wall paintings, and exquisite jewelry, many of these inspired by the rich body of Mayan mythology and religion.

"Provides a comprehensive introduction to this important genre, exploring such subjects as the role of the mythological images in everyday life of the time, the messages they convey about the Romans' view of themselves, and the reception of the sarcophagi in later European art and art history."--Publisher's website

A new reading of the portrayal of Greek myths in Roman art, revealing important shifts in Roman values and identities.