Honors Projects

Abstract

At the end of the first century BCE, in order to spread the values and concepts that he wanted to perpetuate in his new political order, Augustus Caesar revived an archaistic art style based on that of the archaic period of ancient Greece. It was in this time that the Roman Empire was being established, and Augustus was taking sole power of the Roman world. This study is focused on works that include depictions of Apollo because one of the first and most studied examples of Augustus’s use of Roman archaism was the decorative program of the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine. Apollo is an especially significant figure to consider in a study on a revival of a Greek style because he was originally a Greek god that was absorbed into the Roman pantheon, just as some of the stylistic elements from archaic Greek works had been appropriated into Roman artwork to create Roman archaism. Augustus also considered Apollo as an ancestor and used Apollo to rally support during the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. By looking at some of the works of Roman archaism created in the time period of Augustus’s rule that depict Apollo, this paper argues that there is a connection between certain ideals Augustus attempted to promote to the Roman people and the archaistic style. The ideals being emphasized included a restoration of religious piety, a subtle reminder of military power, a grounded history for the royal family, and a new youthful ideal for depictions of Roman people.

Department

School of Art

Major

Art – BA in Art History

First Advisor

Dr. Sean V. Leatherbury

First Advisor Department

School of Art

Second Advisor

Dr. Heath A. Diehl

Second Advisor Department

Honors Program

Publication Date

Spring 5-2-2016

Download

Share

COinS