Roman Archaeology Terms 1

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Rabirius 27.301: architect during Domitian’s time. This is the work of


Rabirius. This is one of the greatest building periods in Rome --
with Domitian. The ground plan shows so much variation in the
rooms. Lots of use of curviliniar. Notice the apse at the triclinium.
Octagon. Peristryles with different things around. Lots of variety
of shapes -- very intricate, lace like, very baroque. There are
well-preserved Republican homes underneath this massive domus
that Rabirius built. 27.305: Curvilinear forms are characteristic of
Rabirius. 27.309: Forum Transitorium -- designed for Domitian by
Rabirius.
Martial, Epigrams, 7.56 (92-93 CE), 8.36 (96 CE) poet, flatterer of Domitian. He mentions Rabirius and one of the
houses he made for Domitian, palace of Domitian.
Domus Augustiana (Domus Augustana) 27.301f: palace of Domitian.
Coenatio Iovis 27.303b: triclinium in the Palace of Domitian. (27.301: left side).

pelta 27.305: palace of Domitian -- A peristyle with fountain and


amazon shield(s). At ground the semi-circles. It is a pelta, the
shield. Curvilinear forms are characteristic of Rabirius. The
architectural moldings of his buildings show deep undercutting --
more than usual. Very creative and original.
Forum Transitorium (Forum of Nerva) 27.309: “Forum of Nerva.” Dedicated 97 CE. Beautiful white
marble with Corinthian capitals. Corinthian style was kept in
Flavian period. Sometimes there are composite columns, but not
here. Frieze area, cornus with triple bands, and above is a statue of
Minerva to whom the temple was dedicated.
Severan Marble Plan (Forma Urbis Roma, FUR) 27.306: Forma Urbis Romae. In the Templum of Peace was this
fantastic document of the city of Rome -- the marble plan of the
city of Rome, done in the period of the Severan emperors. It was a
great map placed on the wall inside. Map ca. 18 x 13 m. Based on
a map by Agrippa and then updated in Severan times. It is from
the third cent. CE (203-211 CE). It is in fragments scattered in
various places--even at different buildings. Surviving fragments:
1,1186 plus 87 fragments known from Renaissance drawings.
Minerva and Arachne 27.310: frieze. Relief is prosaic and dry, but interesting detailed
theme -- weaving since Minerva is the goddess of weaving. The
message is weaving is best -- women should be carrying out this
activity. There is also a message of her power. R: story of Arachne
who was turned to a spider. Above is a loom of Arachne. Minerva
standing striking her. Attendants holding the cloth, spinning,
weaving. This is a good area to see the deep cutting of relief design
above during Domitian and Nerva.
Templum Pacis templum, sacred space/precinct. 27.306-08: built after Jewish war.
71-79. Vespasian wants to stress peace as Augustus. The
Argiletum was a shopping street, packed with people coming and
going to the fora in that area. This probably contrasted with what
went on in the templum. R: altar in front of temple in courtyard.
Templum proper -- 6 columns across. This is also where they
stored things they sacked from Jerusalem. Some creativity in this
plan. Notice the rectangular exedras. 308: some of the decoration
erected for the forum of Nerva (front, bottom).

PPT 28 --
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Nerva (96-98) After Domitian, he comes in and frees the people who were captive
and on trial. There was a sudden sense of liberation. Nerva was
calm, stable, except his health. He wasn’t aggressive about
attacking enemies. He died after being emperor for about two
years. He handed Trajan a good transition. This is the time of
good emperors.
congiarium 28.311: congiar -- a measuring out of stuff (e.g., on coins).
Marcus Ulpius Trajanus 98-117 CE. Trajan adopted as a highly successful general. Very
stable. He was born in Spain of an aristocratic Roman family. This
is a great international period when he reigns. He travels a lot in
the Roman Empire and extends its boundaries to its greatest
extent. After that it was a matter of holding things together in
place. There are heavy walls, fortifications that must be
maintained. Trajan conquered the Dacians, modern day Romania.
Two campaigns from 101-106. He was loved because he was so
reliable. He had a decent family and they were respected. They
called him Optimus Princeps -- supreme prince (first head). He
also has public programs -- feeding children. He has a good
building program with great architects. It’s a time of great
international cooperation. One language and similar vocabulary of
architecture. There is a heavy sense of Romanization in terms of
architecture.
Optimus Princeps supreme prince (first head) -- title given to Trajan.
Plotina 28.314: Trajan’s wife. She is a remarkable, strong lady. Very
respected. She outlives Trajan. She had a similar role to Livia.
Hadrian was great favorite of hers. He was at her side and Trajan’s
when he died. She made sure Hadrian would be the next in line as
emperor.
Marciana 28.313: Trajan’s sister. They were close; she was influential, highly
respectable. She died in 112 and was deified. Diva Avgvsta
Marciana. Back says Consecratio. Roman eagle with a scepter.
The eagle often leads to apotheosis. She looks like her brother!
Short forehead, big nose. Both of them have thick eyebrows. What
is stunning is her hairstyle. A bird’s nest in back! Then a
diadem-like wig. There is a cloth backing for the curls. Conoli
rolls! Eyes are large (portrait). Mouth is like Trajan’s.
caldarium hot room in the baths
tepidarium warm room
frigidarium cold room
natatio large area with pool at Trajan’s Bath
Forum of Trajan 28.315-22: Trajan as collaborator architect. Apollodorus of
Damascus. This piece is huge! Forum of Trajan. Ca. 100-112 CE.
A spectacular civic center with markets (some built into the
hillside), libraries, law courts. It was finished with a temple
dedicated to him after his death (Temple to the Divine Trajan). It
was lavishly decorated. In center of forum was a statue of Trajan
riding a horse. It is a little out of character for Trajan since it is so
grand. He had statues of Dacian captives (32:00). The whole thing
is designed spectacularly. Notice the 4 sections. Notice the idea of
the hemi-cycles are picked up from the forum of Augustus. Then it
is picked up to be used in the Basilica (a word used later for
churches in Rome).
Apollodorus of Damascus architect of the Forum of Trajan. Helped design Column of
Trajan. The images were used as models for the Column with
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Basilica Ulpia 28.318: Basilica reconstruction. Huge space. These are white and
colored marbles with the columns. It has a flat roof with coffers. A
clere story -- Roman -- bringing light into the structure -- a big hall
at the bottom, then portico that allows light in. Basilica Ulpia.
clerestory 28.318: upper story of a building with windows (or in open with no
windows) above adjacent roofs.
segmental pediment segment of an arch (see notes): ----->
Via Biberatica “Pepper” St. There are no ruts for carts
(weren’t allowed). Probably items were
carried in by foot.
groin vault 28.322: a join of two vaults intersecting.
flying buttress strengthens roof for Forum of Trajan. Designed by Apollodorus.
Ahead of his time!

cross vaults (sides)


barrel vault (top going
across roof)
flying buttress (right)

PPT 29 --
Sixtus V 29.327: Sixtus the fifth
put up the statue of Peter on top of the Column. He did a lot of
construction for the city.
frieze wide central section of an entablature and may be plain or — in the
Ionic or Corinthian order — decorated with bas-reliefs. See
Column of Trajan.
Danube River 29.329: One of four personifications on the Column of Trajan.
Soldiers march over bridge and Danube watches as they go by.
Suovetaurilia 29.333: Trajan sacrifices a suovetaurilia to Mars.
rotulus 30.336 (example): a roll-type book which had illustrations and as
you unroll the pictures continued. The images were used as models
for the Column with Apollodorus in charge. The MS probably
would have been in the Latin Library right next to the Column.
codex ancient book form

PPT 30 --
Beneventum (Malventum) 30.338: big difference is that Arch of Titus doesn’t have reliefs on
the pylons (outside of arch) as Arch of Trajan. Beneventum is
south Italy (39:00). Beneventum means something like ‘welcome.’
(originally called Malventum, but changed since mal- means
bad/evil) Arch is around 114-18 CE. It has a city side facing
Rome. The other side is the country side when you’re heading to
Rome.
Via Appia Appian Way. The emperor Trajan built the Via Traiana, an
extension of the Via Appia from Beneventum, reaching
Brundisium via Canusium and Barium rather than via Tarentum.
This was commemorated by an arch at Beneventum.
Brundisium
Dacicus 30.339: victor over the Dacians.
Parthicus victor over the Parthians.
Alimenta 30.343: feeding of the children.
Ostia the harbor of ancient Rome.
Victoria
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scriptura quadrata 30.339: Script is scriptura quadrata -- each of the letters fit into a
square (cf. Trajan Pro). It’s a handsome carving. Here it shows the
holes where the bronze would have been attached.

PPT 31 --
imago clipeata 31.350: an image on a shield. Clipeus -- shield. Putting a portrait
on a shield that was carried into battle. It is especially a noble
portrait. This inspires young people to see such a figure on a
shield.
P. Aelius Hadrianus (117-138 CE) Hadrian was married to the great niece of Trajan -- Sabina.
Already this was clear he was in the right position. He was a cousin
of Trajan. Many portraits of Hadrian. The most portraits belong
to Augustus and Hadrian is second. He liked to travel around and
have buildings built. There are around 130 cities with Hardianic
building in it. He didn’t fight -- he wasn’t a warrior. He was trying
to keep the Empire together. Hadrian loved Greek culture and
philosophy. He was called Graeculus (little Greek one; Greekling).
Himation -- 41:00. He wore a beard like the Hellenists. He was
very conscious of his looks. It is a turning point in the image of
males in Rome. In the Republic and archaic times people wore
beards, but in early Empire it wasn’t so popular until Hadrian.
Graeculus little Greek one; Greekling
Dio Cassius writing at end of 2nd, beginning of 3rd. He is a faithful Roman
historian. Writes about Hadrian. More reliable source than the
Historia Augusta.
Historia Augusta fourth cent. CE. A lot of the info is phony. It says Hadrian was
tall, elegant, and robust and his hair was curled by means of a
comb.
Vibia Sabina (d. 136/137) Niece of Trajan, married to Hadrian.
Antinous (d. 130)
Bithynia

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