Ancient World II: Rome

Classics/History//Humanities 122:
The Roman World

Beth Severy-Hoven, Macalester College
Spring 2006

Project on Roman Portraiture

Read chapters one, "The Social Order," and three, "Portraiture and Commemoration," in Eve D'Ambra's Roman Art, pp. 39-57 and 93-125.
Analyze the statue or portraits assigned to your group below. Prepare to discuss how the portrait articulates the identity of its subject. Items to consider might include style (classicizing, veristic, imperial, etc.), intended use of the object (if known), costumes, objects or attributes, and the like. After meeting for 10-20 minutes in class, your group will be responsible for a short presentation on your piece(s).

1. Statue of Agrippina, mother of the emperor Nero, from the Naples Museum. Mid first century C.E. from unknown location. Detail from side view below.

2. Relief from Tomb of woman named Rabiria. Found on Appian Way in Rome, now in the National Museum. First century C.E. Click here for larger image.

3a. Portrait Bust of Woman from Manilia Family, found at Villa Moroni on Via Appia in 1816, now in Vatican Museums. Early second century C.E. For larger image click here.

3b. Statue of Woman in Guise of Venus. Mid second century C.E. Naples Museum. Detail of head included. For larger image of full statue, click here.

4. Statue of emperor Flavius Domitian from Vatican Museums. Late first century C.E. from unknown location. Click here to see larger image.

Course Homepage ~ Classics Department ~ Macalester College

Beth Severy-Hoven, Macalester College
last revised 3/24/6