The Emperor and Rome Space, Representation, and Ritual [Hardcover]

This book explores ancient Rome under the impact of monarchy and as one of the structures which shaped the monarchy itself.The advent of monarchy at Rome brought major changes to the city of Rome as well as the political system. Here experts reassess the impact of imperial building programs on the configuration of space, representations of the emperor in the city, and the performance of rituals linking emperor and people.The advent of monarchy at Rome brought major changes to the city of Rome as well as the political system. Here experts reassess the impact of imperial building programs on the configuration of space, representations of the emperor in the city, and the performance of rituals linking emperor and people.The transition from republic to monarchy with the accession of Augustus heralded the transformation not just of the Roman political system but of the city of Rome itself. This volume, written by some of the foremost scholars from around the world, addresses three main topics: the impact of imperial building programs on the configuration of space within the city and on the evolution of Rome's urban image; the various ways in which the figure of the emperor himself was represented, both visually and symbolically, in the city's urban fabric; and the performance of rituals and ceremonies that expressed key imperial ideals and values and enabled communications between the emperor and important collectivities in the city. The contributors build on important recent developments in research: increased archaeological excavation and restoration, the proliferation of digital technologies, and the greater attention paid by scholars to the centuries after Augustus.Introduction Bj?rn C. Ewald and Carlos F. Nore?a; 1. By the emperor, for the people: 'popular' architecture in Rome Paul Zanker; 2. The emperor and senatorial aristocracy in competition for public space Werner Eck; 3. Propaganda, staged applause, or local politics? Public monuments from Augustus to Septimils