Customer Reviews

The Art of Rome and Her Empire (Art of the World)

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This book was first published in 1962 by Holle Verlag G.m.b.H, Baden Baden, Germany. Published again in 1963 and then republished in 1965 as the revised copy I have read. It is part of the Art of the World library which contained at least 21 volumes, but both a series and a publisher I fear that is no longer in business.

This colorful (for its time) and informative volume will acquaint readers with a period in Roman history and art ranging from the late Republic through the Empire, including much on the principate of Augustus (Octavian). Rest assured, the great sculpture, A.D. 14, executed after his death, unearthed at Primaporta, is shown in a color plate. Also shown is one room of Augustus's palace on the Palatine, his somewhat spartan home of 40 years..

The book is built around several sets of color photographs with chapters that describe in some detail the photos. The contents are as listed below:

Fundamental Characteristics of Roman Art
Imperator, Caesar Augustus
84-98 Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus
99-103 Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus
104-110 Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar
111-130 The Flavian Emperors: Vespasian, Titus, Domitian
131-144 M. Ulpius Trajanus
145-163 P. Aelius Hadrianus
164-166 T. Aurelius Antoninus Pius
167-169 M. Aurelius Antoninus
170-188 The Age of the Soldier Emperors
The Tetrarchs and Constantine
Appendix

Beyond the color photos, the book also contains several pen and ink architectural drawings of floor plans for palaces, public buildings, and personal villas. At the rear of the book a chronological table from 50 B.C. to 216 A.D. is given. At the end of the book a few black and white photos are shown.

For the interested reader or the casual, this is a book most lovers of the Roman Republic and Empire will find of interest. It tries to answer the question of exactly comprises Roman art. Was there a truly Roman art? Or was it just an extension of Classical Greece?

For the price (Goodwill-$1.50) this book was an excellent buy. Available from Amazon also.

Recommended.