Roman Art Archaeology

This new survey makes sense of Roman art by placing works in their full historical context--showing students not only how but also why art was used in Roman society and politics (such as wealthy Romans sponsoring public projects to promote themselves). The book breaks new ground by devoting chapters to art from the provinces, rather than focusing solely on Rome itself. Mark Fullerton provides the most in-depth look at Roman art from across the empire, connecting Roman art to the Mediterranean and the wider world.

Mark D. Fullerton blends the art of the Roman period with its history of political intrigue, military and religious ideologies, and intercultural interaction. The book not only explores the art of Rome itself but also that of the Roman provinces, including Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Greece and the British Isles, showing how Roman art drew from and influenced the wider ancient world.Each of the book's four parts opens with a timeline and historical overview, allowing the reader to better understand how the art relates to the political and social lives of the people of ancient Rome. Individual chapters begin with a map of Rome, illustrating how the city changed over centuries of rebuilding and reimagining.With an introduction, 'What Is Roman about Roman Art?', and 'Materials and Techniques' features on the artistic innovations introduced by the Romans, such as concrete, linear and atmospheric perspective, and mosaic, the book explores how Roman influences still affect the art and architectural world today.

"Papers based on a session held at the 109th Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America in Chicago, January 3-6, 2008."

A Companion to Roman Art encompasses various artistic genres, ancient contexts, and modern approaches for a comprehensive guide to Roman art. Offers comprehensive and original essays on the study of Roman art Contributions from distinguished scholars with unrivalled expertise covering a broad range of international approaches Focuses on the socio-historical aspects of Roman art, covering several topics that have not been presented in any detail in English Includes both close readings of individual art works and general discussions Provides an overview of main aspects of the subject and an introduction to current debates in the field

The recent crisis in the world of antiquities collecting has prompted scholars and the general public to pay more attention than ever before to the archaeological findspots and collecting histories of ancient artworks. This new scrutiny is applied to works currently on the market as well as to those acquired since (and despite) the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which aimed to prevent the trafficking in cultural property. When it comes to famous works that have been in major museums for many generations, however, the matter of their origins is rarely considered. Canonical pieces like the Barberini Togatus or the Fonseca bust of a Flavian lady appear in many scholarly studies and virtually every textbook on Roman art. But we have no more certainty about these works' archaeological contexts than we do about those that surface on the market today. This book argues that the current legal and ethical debates over looting, ownership and cultural property have distracted us from the epistemological problems inherent in all (ostensibly) ancient artworks lacking a known findspot, problems that should be of great concern to those who seek to understand the past through its material remains.

Classical archaeology was long equated to ancient art history. Today these fields find themselves at a major crossroads. The influence on them-from the discipline of anthropology-has increased substantially in the past 15 years, adding to the ways in which scholars can study the Roman past. The classical archaeologist of the 21st century is likely to be versed in Greek and Latin, computer technology, ancient history, great monuments, various hard sciences such as physics or even astronomy, GPS, GIS, surveying, mapping, digitizing, artistic rendering, numismatics, geo-science, astronomy, environmental studies, material culture analysis and/or a host of other disciplines and sub-disciplines.Universities are seeking specialists whose talents embrace not one but several different fields of research. It is not necessary for each scholar to know everything about each discipline being used within the fields of art history, classical archaeology and anthropology, but these days a basic knowledge of all relevant disciplines is becoming indispensable. This book will layout the basic information and steps necessary to take the beginning archaeologist's search for knowledge of the past and lead them to adventures of the future. here have been numerous textbooks about the art history and monuments of ancient Rome. With this new work, the authors have attempted to create something slightly different. Students of the subject will still be able to gain the essential basic knowledge of the most important works of art and architecture that have been the focus of university art history courses for more than a century and remain the essential starting point for gaining a window into Roman Antiquity. In addition to this, however, anthropology, classical studies, social history and computer graphics have been used throughout this text in order to help the beginning student understand the daily life of the ancient Romans. The authors have sought to emphasize not only the greatest works of ancient art but have also included utilitarian objects which were more typical of the Roman life experience. It is hoped that this holistic approach can afford an appreciation not only of that estimated one-sixth that formed the Roman elite but also the remaining five-sixths who formed the majority of the Roman people. New technologies are being developed each year allowing increased possibilities for understanding the past. These range from innovations in museology as exemplified by the ruin within a museum approach of Rome's Capitoline Museums to the virtualreality 3D walk-throughs that allow the general public to experience the past first-hand by passing through museums or even reconstructed ancient buildings and sites. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the 21st century is showing that there is a growing desire to offer detailed and intimate snapshots that allow the past to resonate and reveal itself in ways not thought possible a generation ago. In this textbook the authors present more than 400 images, including over 100 new plans and specially commissioned reconstructions.