1. THE ROMAN EMPIRE
GARDNER CHAPTER 10-6 PP

2. LATE EMPIRE
The two centuries of the Pax Romana -> in the Late Empire CE Roman power begins to erode
Difficult to keep order on the borders
Emperor Commodus r is assassinated ending the Antonine dynasty
Economy in decline
Imperial bureaucracy disintegrating
The official state religion was losing ground to Eastern cults
Late Empire is pivotal period when pagan ancient world gradually transforms into the Christian Middle Ages

3. THE SEVERANS Civil conflict follow’s the assassination of Commodus
African born general Septimius Severus (r ) becomes emperor
He establishes a dynasty that will rule for nearly half a century

4. SEVERAN PORTRAITURE
After the civil war Severus declares that he was adopted son of Marcus Aurelius
Portraits of the emperor show him with the long hair and beard of his Antonine “father”
Painted portrait of Septimius Severus and his family, from Egypt, ca. 200 CE, tempera on wood
Only surviving painting of an emperor
Presented as aging w/gray hair -> two sons, Caracalla has his borther murdered and makes the Senate damn Gela’s memory -> figure blotted out on the TONDO

5. CARACALLA Portrait of Caracalla, ca. 211-217 CE, marble, 1’2” high
Portrait bust renders physical likeness as well as character portrayal
In life a ruthless tyrant, in sculpture a hard-nosed, stern, and suspicious face
Downturned mustache and lines over eyes contribute to harsh characterization

6. LEPCIS MAGNA
Chariot procession of Septimius Severus, relief from the attic of the Arch of Severus, Lepcis Magna, Libya, 203 CE, marble
Unlike the triumph panel of the Arch of Titus this gives no sense of rushing motion -> instead, stately stillness
Frontality and floating figures -> new to Roman art -> non- Classical style
The new aesthetic relates to social. Political, and economic upheaval
New non-naturalistic, more abstract style = Late Antique Style

7. BATHS OF CARACALLA Baths of Caracalla, Rome, Italy, 212-216 CE
Could accommodate bathers -> resembled modern health spa -> included libraries, lecture halls, and exercise courts plus bathing rooms and swimming pool
Design was symmetrical along a central axis -> sequestial plunges in tepidarium, caldarium, and frigidarium
Stuccoed vaults, mosaic floors, marble faced walls, and marble statuary

9. THE SOLDIER EMPERORS
Severan dynasty ends in 235 CE -> half century of civil war follows -> one general after another is declared emperor by his troops then murdered by another general
Little to no significant building activity happened in Rome during this time

10. TRAJAN DECIUS
Portrait bust of Trajan Decius, CE, marble, 2’7”
Portrait of a short lived “soldier emperor” -> depicts an older man w/bags under his eyes and a sad expression
The eyes glance away nervously, reflecting the anxiety of an insecure ruler

11. TREBONIANUS GALLUS
Heroic portrait of Trebonianus Gallus, from Rome, Italy, CE, bronze, 7’11” high
Over-life-size heroically nude statue -> projects brute force
Heavy set body w/massive legs and swollen trunk -> face has nervous expression

12. LUDOVISI BATTLE SARCOPHAGUS
Battle of Romans and barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), from Rome, Italy, ca CE, marble, 5’ high
Extremely crowded surface with figures piled on top of one another
Figures lack individuality
Confusion of battle is echoed by congested composition
Roman army trounces bearded and defeated barbarians
Youthful Roman general appears at center top w/no weapons and is only Roman w/no helmet -> invincible/needs no protection
LUDOVISI BATTLE SARCOPHAGUS