Imperial Rome: Society Art and Trade Part 1

Imperial Rome: Society Art and Trade

Part 1

Augustan Art and Literature

In 17 BC Rome held Secular Games, a traditional celebration to announce the entry into a new epoch (saeculum). New it was, for, though Augustus preserved what he could of republican institutions, he added much that was his own. His Rome had become very Italian, and this spirit is reflected in the art and literature of his reign. Its greatest writers were native Italians, and, like the ruler whose program they glorified, they used the traditional as the basis for something new.

Exterior wall of the Ara Pacis

The culture of the age undoubtedly attained a high level of excellence, dominated by the personality of the emperor and his accomplishments.

The Mediterranean world was soon assuming a Roman aspect, and this is a measure of Augustus’ extraordinary achievement.

Economy Drives Culture

Although widespread, Augustus’ wars chiefly affected the frontier districts. Elsewhere, peace prevailed. Indeed, never before had so large an area been free of war for so long. This state of affairs helped trade. The suppression of piracy and the use of military roads, which the frontier warfare itself brought into being, provided safe arteries of commerce. Stable currency also aided economic growth. Activity directly connected with the soil predominated; but there were also many establishments, usually small, engaged in manufacturing, and such products as textiles, pottery, tiles, and papyrus were turned out in surprising quantities. Advanced techniques were also known: glassblowing, for example, dates from the Augustan age.

Multiple Choice

what added to economic growth?

• stable currency

• stable roads

Language and Literature

The native language of the Romans was Latin. Its alphabet was based on the Etruscan alphabet, which was in turn based on the Greek alphabet. The surviving Latin literature is in Classical Latin from the 1st century BC. The spoken language of the Roman Empire was Vulgar Latin, which differed from Classical Latin in grammar and vocabulary, and eventually in pronunciation.

Mosaic from Pompeii

depicting the Academy of Plato

Music

The Romans' music was an important part of their lives. Song (known as carmen) was part of almost every social occasion. Music accompanied spectacles and events in the arena. It was part of the performing arts form called pantomimus, an early form of story ballet that combined expressive dancing, instrumental music and a sung libretto.

They were influenced by Etruscan and Greek music. What the Romans sang simply followed the natural melody of the song.

Musicians playing a Roman tuba, a water organ (hydraulis), and a pair of cornua, detail from the Zliten mosaic, 2nd century AD

Woman playing a kithara. A kithara is a Roman instrument.

Multiple Choice

Roman art drew heavily from which civilization in the beginning?

• Greek

• Estruscans

• Sabines

Multiple Choice

Romans believed in realistic portrayals in art

• True

• False