Roman Art (c. 500 BCE - 400 CE)




With the rise of Rome, the Western world saw the largest empire yet. The multicultural society of the Roman Empire is, of all the ancient civilizations, the one that most resembles today's world. Some similarities can be seen in our global perspective, roadways, and the United States' judicial system. Roman art and architecture spread throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The Romans initially imitated the Greeks in many genres of art, but eventually they developed their own distinctive style. For example, Roman sculpture focused on the realistic aspects of a person's appearance, whereas the earlier Greeks had focused on the idealized human form.

During the first century CE, a golden age for the women of Rome began. They were given considerable freedom compared to other ancient cultures. Women managed their households and children, and wealthier women accompanied their husbands to social events. Hairstyles and adornments were not just fashion statements, they also conveyed social and political messages, which revealed status.

This bust of an upper class woman shows delicate curls arranged in a complicated hairstyle, which was popular at the time. Hairstyles became so elaborate during this time that ancient writers ridiculed Roman women who spent hours with their hairdressers trying to get the desired hairstyle. Some scholars also believe that some women wore wigs to achieve the desired effect.

Imagine how much time a hairstyle like this would have taken to arrange. How do we style our hair and adorn ourselves differently today?

Head of a Woman, 95/99 CE
Unidentified Maker, Roman
Marble
11 inches H
Gift of the George and Frances Ball Foundation
1937.501.001
World Events

384-322 BCE The Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle lives.

356-323 BCE Alexander the Great of Greece lives.

44 BCE Julius Caesar assassinated in Rome.

30 CE The death of Jesus and emergence of Christianity.

79 CE Pompeii and Herculaneum are destroyed in Italy by Mt. Vesuvius' eruption.


DARCY DISCUSSES: FASHION

Scholars often use fashion trends depicted on ancient Roman coins as a comparison for dating portrait sculptures.

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