G6-Etruscans&Romans

ETRUSCANS

&

ANCIENT ROME

1. THE ETRUSCANS

Etruscan Necropolis

The tombs (partly under the ground now)

are our only source of information about amazing Etruscan culture.

[Necropolis - the city of the dead]

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Before the Romans gained supremacy over the Italian peninsula, the latter was inhabited by many indigenous peoples. Which one was the most significant?

*...

How long back does the Etruscans history date? - *...

If you still remember the previous section (guide 5) and if you think historically, you should say here : ‘Aha, it means that the Etruscans lived at the same time when the Greeks lived, painting the vases with the geometric patterns, and carving the statues of youths with an enigmatic ‘archaic smiles’ on their lips.

When two cultures coexist as neighbors, they always interact and influence each other.

What did Etruria and Greece have in common?

*...

*...

*...

When did the Romans vanquish the last of the Etruscans? - *...

ARCHITECTURE

What is the only type of architecture that survived? - *...

What were their interiors look like? - *...

Why did the Etruscans want to duplicate their earthly environment? - *...

Doesn’t it remind you about some other ancient civilization? Which one? - * ...

How did we know what the exterior of Etruscan house looked? - *...

Terms

CINERARY URN - *…

SARCOPHAGUS (pl. Sarcophagi) – *….

*

Observe the faces of this couple reclining over the top of their sarcophagus. Do the spouses look ‘severe’ to you? Not really, right? Their joyful looks do not relate, in our perception, to a funerary object. It is not accidentally either that the ancient sculptors chose the scene of the banquet to be on the lid of their coffin. From what we know about the Etruscans, they seemed to be fun-loving people, spending life in numerous festivities.

Well, that’s it about the Etruscans. Unfortunately, you have too little in your book about this exciting culture. Yet, now you know who the Etruscans were. You know that their culture laid the foundation for Rome. You should also remember that the Etruscans borrowed a lot from the Greek culture and passed it, along with their own achievements, further down the road - to the Romans. Let us move on to the next great civilizations entering the stage of its Majesty History - grand Rome.

1. ANCIENT ROME

Rome existed for one thousand years - 500 years before common era and 500 years after

500 B.C. - 500 A.D.

There were three major periods in the Roman History

REPUBLIC - last 500 years B.C.

EARLY EMPIRE - first 200 years A.D.

LATE EMPIRE - next 300 years

CLASSICAL WORLD TIMELINE

Place on the timeline Greece, Etruscans, Roman Republic and Roman Empire (Early and Late)

. [Type inside the frames]

Roman Empire

Greece

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900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 O 100 200 300 400 50

Now start reading….

Short introduction on Rome and Roman art

*… [when was it established?]

* … [how far was it stretched?]

Greco-Roman art - *

Why did they come up with such a term?

ATTN: Classical & Greco-Roman can be used as synonyms. Classical art is more common term though.

Please note, that paradoxically enough, in the history of Rome there was first a Republic and only then – Empire!

If you think about the history of the Western world, usually the order is opposite.

Example: French republic that emerged after the French revolution in 1789 and replaced the monarchy.

History of Rome [provide short essay]

*....

*...

*...

Please read the first two paragraphs carefully put down what similarities you could observe between Rome and the one in the United States. In terms of the political system and law, I mean. Not because today many people would compare USA with Roman Empire – this is not a correct comparison. As you know, America does not have colonies and thus can not be called empire. Following the strict definitions it presents a classical example of republic.

PATRICIANS - *

[pah-TRIH-shuns]

PLEBEIANS - *

[pleb-EE-uns]

Here is more on terms.

Plebs (pl. Plebes) - short of Plebeians - the common people of ancient Rome

or members of the lower classes.

Rome’s unique contribution to art - *

In what way was the development of realistic portraiture connected with the cult of ancestors?

The Roman sculptural portraits exemplify the so-called harsh realism in art.

Why do you think it is called harsh, and why realism to start with?

• Head of a Roman Date:

Material:

Architecture was the Rome’s greatest contribution to European culture.

Please remember this!

Temple of Fortuna Virilis *­___ [Century]

My TtimeLine: B.C.--200-------100----- O ---- 100----…A.D.

Indicate what was adopted from the Greeks.

*

What were the Roman innovations?

Which temples, Greek or Romans, were simpler and more focused on the function than aesthetics?

MONOLITHIC (e.g. column) - *

[How does this type of column look as opposed to the Greek column – describe both]

Actually you know both words: “mono” and “lithic – Remember the prehistoric guide?

What were the walls of the Roman houses decorated with?

Describe two techniques used to create Murals (decorated walls) in Roman houses.

FRESCO –

MOSAIC –

The mural ‘Ulysses’ - Observe the fresco and notice how well it gives the illusion (feeling/impression) of the three-dimensional space. If you stand inside the house the mural painting create an illusion of window or opening in the wall.

We do not have any of the Greek wall painting survived but the art historians believe that it looked similar to *___

What event did mark the end of Republic and beginning of the Roman Empire?

Who was the first Roman emperor?

The dominant purpose of Roman art (the very first phrases)

What technologies and social benefits did Romans create and bring to the conquered areas

that had become the parts of the new Roman Empire? [Choose the major ones]

*

*

*

*

ARCHITECTURE The Early Empire

Name two major innovations that the Romans contributed to the architecture.

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Hope I counted the letters correctly :-)

Pont du Gard at Nimes, in __ [country] ___ [date]

[Pronounced like [pohn –due –Gahr at Nim]; the last letter in French is not pronounced.

“Pont” is French word for “bridge”, but you know now that it is not what its function was]

AQUEDUCT - *

[Describe its function and design]

Colosseum in Rome - the most spectacular remains and symbol of Rome!

[Describe the construction and note what is said about the combination of arch and column]

*

*

AMPHITHEATER - * [define the term]

*

*

*

Pantheon in *__ [Where?]

What was the function of the Pantheon?

Describe the DOME as a central part of this temple:

How does coffered dome look? - *

What is the oculus? - *

Take time to go back to the Greek temple Parthenon

Make sure you are not confused about these names of two temples.

Let us repeat together one more time:

Greek temple built in the 5th century B.C. in Athens is called *

Roman temple of the 2nd century A.D. in Rome is has a name of *

SCUPLTURE The Early Empire

Did the sculpture of the Roman Empire change in comparison with the earlier art of the Republic?

Tell me in what exactly way?

*

Stature of Augustus – * [date]

Analyze these changes using this stature as an example. Do not forget to mention who Augustus was.

Marcus Aurelius on Horseback * [when?]

Equestrian portrait - *

Define the term and describe this monument.

If you have time read more about this remarkable emperor.

STOIC PHILOSOPHY or STOICISM [Try to formulate its core beliefs – look up the Internet]

Here are a few of Aurelius Meditations…

"At dawn of day, when you dislike being called, have this thought ready: 'I am called to man's labour;

why then do I make a difficulty if I am going out to do what I was born to do and what I was

brought into the world for?'"

“Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee.

While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.
“How much trouble he avoids who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks,

but only to what he does himself, that it may be just and pure; or as Agathon says, look not round

at the depraved morals of others, but run straight along the line without deviating from it.

http://www.roman-emperors.org/marcaur.htm
.

What happened in Rome during the 3rd century A.D., when the period of Late Empire started?

*

*

Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine - a new architectural form.

What was its function? - *

How many sections or aisles was it divided into? - *

What was the name of a central aisle? - *

What was the historical role basilica’s plan played in the history of art?

FORUM - *

Head of Constantine the Great

Provide some information on Constantine and his impact on Christianity.

What changes in art does it illustrate?

Very important - will be asked on the test

Those terms define the basic elements that would be used in European architecture for centuries to come.
If you are going to print this guide - you could make simple (very simple) drawings in order to remember them – this a great study technique. You can look the terms up on the Internet.

POST & LINTEL construction -

ARCH -

VAULT -

BARREL VAULT -

GROIN VAULT -

DOME -

The guide is done. Did it feel like a long one? Yet, this was just a glimpse on the one of the most astounding periods in the history of humanity.

Now let us move on to the next guide and observe a dramatic turn made by Her Majesty History after the Roman Empire declines.

Colosseum, Rome. 19th century painting.

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