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Architecture of the HIGH ROMA EMPIRE

Explore how Roman architecture and art were used as propaganda to shape public opinion, focusing on Trajan's Forum and the Column of Trajan. Analyze how these works conveyed their propagandistic messages to their intended audience.

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Architecture of the HIGH ROMA EMPIRE

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  1. Architecture of the HIGH ROMA EMPIRE Trajan’s Forum & the Pantheon

  2. Propaganda: HW • Throughout history art and architecture has been used as propaganda to shape public opinion. • Select and identify two Roman works that were used to shape public opinion. Citing specific elements in each work, analyze how each work conveyed its porpagandistic message to its intended audience

  3. Who was Trajan? What is a forum? • Trajan, optimus, was the first non-Italian Emperor. Expanded the empire and took on further responsibility for caring for citizens • The PAX ROMANA meant unprecedented prosperity for all who came under Roman Rule • Roman government recognized that the standard of excellence in either a law or a work of art was the greatest good for the greatest number • Art became truly public – bridges, baths, theaters, public exhibitions in squares and public artworks geared at the masses • Art also served the state – praising the virtues and deeds of the emperors • A FORUM is a large public space within the city that would include libraries, temples, a large open area for congregating and an adjoining market place. • The new forum glorified Trajan’s victories against the Dacians – which paid for for his building program in Rome

  4. THE BUILDING PLAN What are the facts? (F) Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus Patron: Emperor Trajan Title: The Forum of Trajan Date: 112CE Period/Style: High Empire Size: NA Findspot: Rome

  5. How is space visually organized? (FA) • Central axis, proportional and symmetrical • Each building is unified with the next to create a flowing and fully integrated space • Enter through the grand archway facing the emperor’s equestrian statue. • Directly across the courtyard in the entrance to the Basilica Ulipia – hall of justice • Apses housed law courts • The basilica leads to Trajan’s column, which is flanked by libraries • Directly behind it is his temple

  6. Why Was It Created? What is its function? • The elements of a public space and how it is put together or arranged often times reveals the social and political purposes of a space. • Analyze how one would move through this space. Why did he create this space in this specific manner, and what social and political functions or messages did it serve?

  7. Public Artworks of the Forum • Throughout history, art in a wide variety of media has been situated in outdoor public spaces to convey meaning to specific audiences • What is the message of the public artworks in the Forum? How do the artworks and their placement convey this meaning to their specific audience.

  8. Column of Trajan What are the facts? (F) Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus Patron: Emperor Trajan Title: The Column of Trajan Date: 112CE Period/Style: High Empire Size: 128 ft tall. 625 foot band running around the column Findspot: Rome Materials / Technique Bas relief, carved marble Subjetc Matter Narrative commemorating Trajan’s victories over the Dacians

  9. How is the subject matter • visually represented / presented? (FA) • Placed between the Forum libraries, the column’s continuous narrative unfolds like a papyrus scroll – to be read in continuous succession • Each scene is differentiated by the appearance of Trajan – who is portrayed as a bold and steady force who is always in command • The artist uses a system of simplified symbols to add additional information such a rivers and mountains to the scene • Action-filled story telling was the focus – appealing to the masses who attended gladiator competitions • Heroic nude statue of Trajan originally at the very top TRAJAN ASSEMBLING TROOPS

  10. WHY WAS IT CREATED? • HISTORICAL EVENTS: The Roman defeat of the Dacians. It took two military campaigns to victory ensure and reinforced the Roman’s intolerance for uprising and challenge • CONCEPTS AND IDEAS: Rome lead to victory over the Dacians by the calm, organized army lead by the steady rule of their emperor – ROMANS WON BECAUSE OF ORGANIZED POWER NOT DIVINITY OR SUPERIORITY • Function: Educational and entertainment of the masses. Through the vsual reading of the artwork they could place themselves in the campaig. Trajan chose the monument as the site of his burial – his ashes are in a chamber below the column. FUNERAY OBJECT and POLITICAL PROPAGANDA

  11. PUBLIC ARTWORKS • Throughout history, art in a wide variety of media has been situated in outdoor public spaces to convey meaning to specific audiences • What is the message of the public artworks in the Forum? How do the artworks and their placement convey this meaning to their specific audience.

  12. Temple of Trajan & Antiquarianism • Antiquarianism is the concern with things old and rare • The libraries in the Forum housed Rome’s vast collection of books and other cultural records from their conquests • How is the style of Trajan’s temple an example of Antiquarianism? MaisonCarree, Nimes Frace 10 CE

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