The Origins of Roman Historical Commemoration in the Visual Arts - Hardcover

Holliday, Peter J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521810132 ISBN 13: 9780521810135

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

History was an important element of Roman Republican culture, as revealed by the numerous historical accounts and panegyrics written during this period. Roman patrons also exploited the visual arts to convey messages about history whose immediacy no text could rival. In this study, Peter Holliday explores the development of Roman history painting in an effort to broaden our understanding of the ways in which Roman commemorative art constructed a narrative for the ancient viewer. Providing a survey of this subject that takes into account recent archaeological discoveries and theoretical debates, he also considers how style worked in tandem with narrative and had political significance. Holliday's study sharpens our understanding of the kinds of narrative that the Roman elite wished to convey through images, and what these images tell us about their achievements and the Republic that they served.

About this title

Review

'... extremely clearly written text ... the revisitation of the issue of the original spread of Hellenism in Italy proves timely and informative.' Shelley Hales, University of Bristol

Book Description

Using recent archaeological discoveries and theoretical debates, Peter Holliday explores the ways in which Roman commemorative art constructed a narrative for the ancient viewer. Considering how style worked with narrative and demonstrated political significance, he examines what images tell us about Roman achievements and the Republic that they served.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521810132
• ISBN 13: 9780521810135
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 310