MARCUS AURELIUS
Parts taken from the emperor
Yellow
• Attic is decorated with 8 rectangular
reliefs, between the Dacian captives
CommemorateMarcus AureliusVictory in Germany& Eastern Europe. 4 onEach side.
On the north side is: Emperor entering Rome ( ), emperor leaving the city, distrubiting money to the people (donatio) and surrender of a barbarian chief. On the south side: another Barbarian chief surrenders, prisoners are shown being lead to the emperor, and the last two are Marcus Aurelius addressing his troops (oratio), and doing a sacrifice with them.
The heads are
18th cent restorations.
These reliefs (of him
Accepting the surrender
Of German prisoners) all
show MarcusAurelius’ virtue of
Clementia – forbearance
And moderation
HadrianParts taken from the emperor
Blue
• The roundels 2.36m diameter4 on each Side. North side:(L-R): a boar hunt, sacrifice to Apollo, Lion hunt, sacrifice to
Hercules.South side: (L-R): hunting emperor, sacrifice to Silvanius
(Italian nature god), bear hunt, sacrifice to DianaThese commemorate the Emperor’s love of hunting &
his devotion to the gods. Hunting also represents the quality of virtus – courage, determination, manliness & piety in his sacrifice
Hadrian: Blue
COnstantineParts taken from the emperor
Green
Relief from Constantine period is highlighted
Reliefs from constantine’s era
• Inscriptions over the roundels commemorate the 10th anniversary of Constantine’s rule in 315AD (this is where the dates for the arch come from)
• The long narrow frieze below the roundels shows episodes in Constantine’s life
• West – constantine’s army leaving Milan• South – seige of Verona
-Battle at Milvian bridge where Maxentius died
• East – Constantine enters Rome in triumph• North – Constantine addresses the people in
Roman Forum (Oratio) - Constantine distributes money to them
(Donatio) showing his generosity
• On the east and west sides of the arch (the short sides) are two roundels.
• West – Moon (Luna) setting
• East – sun (Sol) rising in a chariot
…Both carved in high relief
Also from constantine• Winged figures of victory in spandrels of
central arch
• Personifications of the 4 seasons beneath figures of victory
• River gods in spandrels of side arches
• Pedestals of column bases decorated with Victory, Roman Soliders & Barbarian captives
Why use sculpture from other emperors?
• Taking reliefs from earlier monuments shows an element of nostalgia for Rome’s ‘golden age’of prosperity, wealth, success, military victories and when the Empire was at its height. This is one of the reasons for the choice of the monuments used.
• It linked Constantine with previous good emperors and their qualities
• There was possible a decline in skilled sculptors
Stylistic features• On panels of Trajan there is use of perspective,
front figures carved in high relief, and back in low• Marcus Aurelius reliefs are very static, formal
composition & less figures. This is because they have a symbolic function representing ideas & virtues. Marcus Aurelius is positioned higher so it draws attention to him
• Hadrian’s roundels are very simple – only a few characters & depth achieved with high & low relief
• Constantine’s panels do not have the same attention to detail or modelling. The decoration is very flat & shallow
Constantine Relief
donatio
Emperor sitting on a raised platform to emphasis his importance & surrounded by ministers and Advisers, (all dressed in toga contablulata) A lot of movement in their heads. Oratio:Statues Of Marcus Aurelius & Hadrian featureIn this relief as background. (RepresentingVirtue and piety, as these emperors bothHad strong reputations for having thesequalities)
Hippo and arch!!!