Art in Ancient Society

McDonald, Bailey

World History

Take Home Essay

Art in Ancient Society

The Roman empire was one of the largest and greatest empires in history. Art of the Roman period reflects this power and the extent of their influence. The Romans are well known for their ability to adapt and build upon the ideas of the civilizations they conquered. Roman art contains many aspects from the art of the early Etruscan culture as well as that of the Greeks. The Romans borrowed many artistic elements from the Greeks and improved upon them. For example, they used many ideas from the simple grandeur of Classical and Hellenistic Greek art. In addition to the influence of Greek art and culture, Roman art was largely affected by eastern and egyptian cultures, along with early Christians. Finally, during the later years of the Roman Empire, heavy Barbarian, Germanic and Celtic influence was seen in Roman art. The most valued art forms of the Roman period were sculpture, architecture, painting, and mosaic work.

Painting is known as one of Rome’s most versatile mediums of art form. Because of their tendency to borrow from their predecessors, their victims, and their neighbors, painting came in many different forms during the Roman empire. A vast range of differing painting techniques and styles were seen within the empire thanks to the differing cultural regions of the empire. The largest amount of Roman painting that exists today is the art that survived the eruption of Vesuvius in Pompeii. The art found there were frescoes and mosaics of vibrant color. The Romans used paintings as decorations, backdrops, and to decorate tombs and palaces. They also painted huge murals on the rooms of their homes of heros and historical figures. A famous example of

Roman painting is Garland with mask, basket, and bucrania, a wall painting from Room L of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor of Boscoreale.

As stated previously, many Roman sculptures were heavily influenced by those of the...