Ancient Rome

Theme: MERIT
Explained:
The theme MERIT helps you to remember the accomplishments, or merits, of ancient Rome, as well as the some aspects and common themes among their artwork. MERIT stands for: M Monuments: The ancient Romans were proud of their accomplishments, and they werent afraid to show it off with massive monuments. E Engineering: The ancient Romans made massive structures that previous generations would have thought impossible, all thanks to their innovative minds and their invention of concrete. R Realism: The Romans exhibited an in-your-face, photograph like quality in much of their art. I Interior space: The Romans were masters at vaulted construction such as the barrel vault, the groin vault, the basilica plan, and domes. T Temples: The Romans created impressive temples, similar in construct to Greek temples, to their gods.

Historical Context:
Ancient Rome didnt start out as the powerhouse empire we remember it as today. Rome started as a small and simple republic, its people more like interior designers than architects and conquerors, although it was expanding slowly to start. The city of Pompeii, buried under volcanic rock by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, is an excellent example of this early Rome, with its simple houses and markets. It wasnt much more than your average small town, but it did have gorgeous interiors for its time. Nothing can stay the same forever. The Romans left an age a peace for an age of war and conquest, and this is where their destiny began to take shape. As the empire was forming, the minds of its people were expanding. They started building

bigger, stronger, and more efficiently. The lust for power of the Romans could not be satisfied, and so the empire grew larger and larger. But as was stated previously, nothing stays the same. As the Roman Empire became too large, it began to split apart, and in the coming years would be completely torn asunder. The rule of the tetrarchy (rule by four) was the response to an empire whose boundaries were beyond the control of one man. It didnt last long, and was soon replaced by the last emperor, Constantine I, after a massive civil war. During his rule Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the traditional pagan Roman gods quickly died off.

The Art: #1 Column of Trajan

This is my example for the M in MERIT. This monument was erected in 112 AD in commemoration of Emperor Trajans conquest in the Dacian wars. While your eyes are traveling up the column youll notice the spiral frieze that runs along it that, register by register, depicts this conquest as if it were a movie. In fact, techniques used in the registers are used to this day in art and movies.

#2 the Pantheon
This is my example of the E in MERIT. Roman Engineering was the pinacle of all engineering at the time, and Ive given you a second image to display what Im about to tell you. The most impressive feature in this entire structure is the dome. Domes are very heavy and hard to support; the Romans got around this by the use of coffers, those square cut outs in the dome, which reduce the weight of the dome. The occulus, or skylight, in the center also lightens the load. But that wasnt enough, so as you can see, they thinned out the concrete the further up the dome they went. Differend kinds of concrete were used as well, the foundations were made with a mix that used basalt, a hard volcanic rock, and the dome with a mix using pumice, a feather light rock that can even float on water. Lastly, in conjunction with the dome, the interior is a perfect sphere. Im not kidding. If you took a bowling ball and laid it in the exact center and then magicaly increased its size until touched the walls and ceiling, it would fit perfectly. I dont think any structure is better suited to exemplify the majesty of Roman engineering.

#3 Still Life with Peaches

This is my example for the R in MERIT. Ah, a look at early Rome. Calm, peaceful, tranquil, serene, relaxing, soothing Im running out of adjectives. Now that Ive set the mood, take a look at the painting. First, that water pitcher; look at how the water reflects the sunlight. And look at that cut open peach, its pit; it has got that rough bark-like quality to it. The only thing unrealistic about it is how the water treats whats behind it; its not bending any light. Although its not perfect, it still has a sense of realism, that sense of showing things how they are.

#4 Markets of Trajan
This is my example for the I in MERIT. The markets of Trajan were just that, markets; they were, however, more similar to our modern day markets, each store has its own room and theres a big social and walking area inbetween. But whats so overtly Roman about this place is the fenestrated sequence of groin vaults that make up the ceiling. These groin vaults arent just only a way of supporting the weight of the ceiling, but it makes the room seem taller than it actually is, giving you that sense of open space inside a building.

#5 Temple of Portunus
This is my example of the T in MERIT. The Temple of Portunus is an earlier example of Roman temples, about 75 BC, and a perfect example of how the Romans borrowed ideas from other cultures, namely Etruscan and Greek. The overall plan of the temple is Etruscan, but the Ionic columns and friezes are all Greek. Some distinguishing Roman features are the engaged columns in the rear of the temple and a set of stairs at the front rather than all around.

And just because I can, here it is in LEGOs.