The Origins of Roman Historical Commemoration in the Visual Arts [Hardcover]

Explores how Roman commemorative art constructed narrative for the ancient viewer.In this study of Roman history painting, Peter Holliday broadens our understanding of the ways in which Roman commemorative art constructed a narrative for the ancient viewer. Providing a survey of this subject that takes into account recent archaeological discoveries and theoretical debates, he also considers how style worked with narrative and had political significance. Holliday's study sharpens our understanding of the kinds of narrative that the Roman elite wished to convey through images, and what they images tell us about their achievements and the Republic that they served.In this study of Roman history painting, Peter Holliday broadens our understanding of the ways in which Roman commemorative art constructed a narrative for the ancient viewer. Providing a survey of this subject that takes into account recent archaeological discoveries and theoretical debates, he also considers how style worked with narrative and had political significance. Holliday's study sharpens our understanding of the kinds of narrative that the Roman elite wished to convey through images, and what they images tell us about their achievements and the Republic that they served.This book analyzes the mentality that required the invention of history to commemorate the achievements of aristocrats at the dawn of the Roman Empire. By investigating classical literary sources as well as the visual arts, this book helps us understand how the Romans justified their action to themselves and to their conquered subjects. It investigates how the Romans interacted with the artistic traditions of the ancient Greeks, Etruscans, and other Italian peoples.1. Images of triumph; 2. Scenes of battle, emblems of conquest; 3. Funerary commemorations; 4. The religious and civic duties of magistrates; 5. The effectiveness of historical commemorations in the Republican milieu. ...an invaluable reference source...that is lÃ"