Table of Contents

List of Illustrations xii


Preface xxi


Note to Students xxiii


Acknowledgments xxv


Walk Through Tour xxvi


Timeline xxviii


About the Website xxxiii


1 Introduction to Roman Art History 1


Cultural Property Controversies 2


Dating Dilemmas in Roman Art History 3


Restoration Issues in Roman Art History 4


The Role of Elites in Public Art and Architecture 4


Italic versus Classical Styles and Forms I: Temples 5


Italic versus Classical Styles and Forms II: Portraiture 7


Female Portraiture and Embedded Values 9


Romans Judging Roman Art: Values and Class 11


Art, Context, and Social Status I: The Tomb of Vestorius Priscus
12


Art, Context, and Social Status II: The Roman House 14


Narrative Moment 16


Suggestions for Further Reading 17


2 Regal Period, 753?509 bce 18


The Etruscans and the Question of Etruscan Dominance Timeline
18


Introduction to the World of Early Rome and Italy 19


The Etruscans 21


Art in Latium, the Region around Rome 27


Archaic Rome: City Planning and Architecture 29


Etruscan Tomb Paintings 41


Greco-Italic Archaic Architecture: A Doric Temple at Pompeii
45


Conclusion 46


Suggestions for Further Reading 46


3 The Early Republic, 509?211 bce 48


The Spread of Roman Power and Forms Timeline 48


Introduction to Early Roman Republican Art 49


Lucanian Tomb Painting, Paestum 55


Roman Architecture and Urban Planning 70


Conclusion 75


Suggestions for Further Reading 76


4 The Later Republic, 211?31 bce 77


The Origins of a Hellenistic Roman Culture Timeline 77


Introduction 78


Architecture and Urban Planning 78


Roman Wall Painting in the Late Republic 94


Late Republican Sculpture 108


Conclusion 111


Suggestions for Further Reading 112


5 The Age of Augustus, 31 bce?14 ce 113


The Art of Empire Timeline 113


Augustus 114


The Portraits of Augustus 115


Augustus and the City of Rome 118


Third Style Wall Painting 132


The Emulation of Augustan Art 133


Traditional Italic Style in the Age of Augustus 137


Concrete Architecture 140


Conclusion 141


Suggestions for Further Reading 143


6 The Julio-Claudians, 14?68 ce 145


The Rise of Roman Dynastic Art


Timeline 145


Introduction 146


Tiberius, 14?37 ce, and Caligula, 37?41 ce 146


Claudius, 41?54 ce 157


Nero, 54?68 ce 163


Public Buildings and Interior Decoration, Pompeii 171


Conclusion 177


Suggestions for Further Reading 177


7 The Flavians, 69?96 ce 178


Civil War, Disaster, and Response Timeline 178


Civil War of 68?69 ce 179


Vespasian and Titus, 69?81 ce 180


Domitian, 81?96 ce 197


Conclusion 209


Suggestions for Further Reading 210


8 Trajan and Hadrian, 98?138 ce 211


Emperors from the Provinces Timeline 211


Nerva, 96?98 ce 212


Trajan, 98?117 ce, and Hadrian, 117?138 ce 213


Sculpture 225


Conclusion 244


Suggestions for Further Reading 244


9 Antonine Emperors, 138?192 ce 245


From an Empire of Gold to One of Rust Timeline 245


Introduction 246


Antonine Portraiture 247


Architectural Sculpture 253


Architecture 257


Wall Painting and Mosaics 260


Sarcophagi 263


Fayum Mummy Portraits 268


Conclusion 271


Suggestions for Further Reading 272


10 Civil War and Severan Dynasty, 193?235 ce
273


Calm before the Storm Timeline 273


Introduction 274


Trends and Developments in Severan Art 274


Conclusion 299


Suggestions for Further Reading 300


11 The Third Century and the Tetrarchy, 235?306 ce
301


Crisis and Renewal Timeline 301


Third-Century Emperors and the Tetrarchy 302


Coin Portraits of the Third Century ce 309


Historical Reliefs 311


Imperial Architecture 320


Conclusion 330


Suggestions for Further Reading 332


12 Constantine, 306?337 ce 334


Christian Empire and the Decline of the West Timeline 334


Constantine, the First Christian Emperor 335


Conclusion 356


Epilogue: The Fall of Rome and the Rise of New Romes 357


Suggestions for Further Reading 362


Glossary 363


Guide to Further Reading 366


Index 368

About the Author

Steven L. Tuck is Professor and Chair of Classics at Miami University. In 2012, he received the E. Phillips Knox award, Miami University's highest honor for innovative and effective undergraduate teaching. He is the author of Latin Inscriptions in the Kelsey Museum: The Dennison and De Criscio Collections (2006).

Reviews

?In his engagingly conversational, often humorous, and lavishly illustrated text, Tuck approaches the multifaceted role of Roman art as visual communication that was essential to governing a vast and diverse empire. Contextually-oriented and informed by current scholarly debates, the book encourages students to appreciate not only Roman visual culture but also how we write its history.? ?Elaine Gazda, University of Michigan ?Gloriously illustrated, this book excels for its emphasis on Roman viewers, its conversational style (fitting from the winner of a national teaching award!), and its deft anticipation of modern assumptions.? ?Lea Stirling, University of Manitoba ?This book provides an accessible overview of Roman art, drawing on the most recent developments in Roman archaeology and art history. Elegantly written and exquisitely illustrated, it also tackles questions of modern reception, collection and ownership of the Roman artistic heritage. This is both an invaluable introduction for students and a go-to reference work for scholars.? ?J.C.N. Coulston, University of St. Andrews ?Steven L. Tuck?s book offers a fresh, fast-paced and abundantly illustrated narrative of Roman art, from its Etruscan beginnings to the emergence of early Christian art. Tuck?s survey is a great starting point for students and all those making first contact with the art and architecture of ancient Rome.? ?Bjoern C. Ewald, University of Toronto ?Tuck gives an excellent introduction to Roman art. Accessible and engaging, this book covers key monuments and objects, while also providing useful discussions of historical context, scholarly debate and contemporary response. I recommend it.? ?Zahra Newby, University of Warwick