Art History Before 1450
Instructor: Roberta A. Mayer, Ph.D.  

Roman Republican Art
Study Guide 9

Republican — 500-31 B.C.

Roman Republican, Temple of “Fortuna Virilis,” Rome, Italy, ca. 75 B.C.E.

Roman Republican, Sanctuary of Fortuna Primagenia, Palestrina, Italy, late 2nd century B.C.E.

Roman Republican, Head of a Roman patrician, ca. 75-50 B.C.E.

Roman Republican, Aerial View of the forum, Pompeii, Italy, 2nd century B.C.E. and later

Roman Republican, Atrium of the House of the Vettii, Pompeii, 2nd century B.C.E. and later


Greco-Roman Painting — 100 B.C.-79 A.D.
Greco-Roman Painting, First Style wall painting, Herculaneum (Incrustation Style), before 79 A.D.

Greco-Roman Painting, Second Style wall painting, Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii, before 79 A.D.

Greco-Roman Painting, Second Style wall painting, Villa at Boscoreale, before 79 A.D.

Greco-Roman Painting, Second Style wall painting, Gardenscape from Villa of Livia, ca. 30-20 B.C.E.

Greco-Roman Painting, Third Style wall painting, Villa at Boscotrecase, ca. 10 B.C.E.

Greco-Roman Painting, Fourth Style wall painting, Domus Aurea of Nero, Rome, 64-68 A.D.

Greco-Roman Painting, Fourth Style wall painting, Ixion Room, House of Vettii, Pompeii, before 79 A.D.

Vocabulary

Arcadianism
atrium
barrel vault
basilica
patrician
plebian
encaustic
forum
groin vault
insula
pseudoperipteral

Practice Essay Questions

  • What is atmospheric perspective? What is linear perspective? What is modeling? What is a ground line? Give examples of Greco-Roman painting that illustrate each of these artistic techniques.

  • Name two cities that were covered with ash when Vesuvius erupted. Explain the significance of this historic event.

  • What is a temple called that has a series of attached columns rather than a free-standing colonnade? Provide an example.

  • What is concrete and what effect did it have upon construction? Provide an example.

  • Who was Vitruvius and why is he important?

  • Name two cultures that strongly influenced the art of Rome. Provide examples that support your points.

  • What is a groin vault? How does a vault differ from a post-and-lintel system?

  • Name two types of buildings that were commonly found in connection with a Roman forum.

  • Discuss the way in which the techniques used by Roman architects influenced the types of buildings they created.

  • Discuss the influence of the art of Greece on that of Rome.