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Roman Art through Early Christian Art

By Ayana Garner
  • Period: 509 BCE to 27 BCE

    Roman Republic

    Key Features: Realism, Greek Influence and civic architecture.
    Cultural Context: Art reflected the Republic's values of age, public service, and virtue but began to change political near the end.
  • Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, original is 359 C.E., marble (Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
    359 BCE

    Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, original is 359 C.E., marble (Treasury, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

    A Marble coffin carved with bible scenes, combining both classical form with christian meaning.
  • Old St. Peter's Basilica
    320 BCE

    Old St. Peter's Basilica

    One of the major Christian churches built earlier under Constantines to honor St. Peter's tomb.
  • Arch of Constantine, 312-315 C.E., and older spolia, marble and porphyry, Rome
    312 BCE

    Arch of Constantine, 312-315 C.E., and older spolia, marble and porphyry, Rome

    Built to honor Constantine's victory, reused earlier sculptures to associate his rule with past emperors.
  • Basilica Of Maxentius Of Constantine
    306 BCE

    Basilica Of Maxentius Of Constantine

    A huge building that influenced christian basilicas, this shows Rome architecture ambition even when declining.
  • Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs, c. 305 (Constantinople), porphyry, 4 feet 3 inches high (Saint Marks, Venice)
    305 BCE

    Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs, c. 305 (Constantinople), porphyry, 4 feet 3 inches high (Saint Marks, Venice)

    This shows Four emperors embracing each other symbolizing shared power and unity, with more simplier abstract forms replacing realism.
  • Period: 235 BCE to 525 BCE

    Early Christian Art

    Key Features: Symbolic Storytelling, Basilica style churches replaced pagan temples, and use of classical roman style for christian themes.
    Cultural/ Historical Context: After Constantine legalizing christianity, the art shifted from imperial glory to faith and spirituality.
  • Period: 200 BCE to 500 BCE

    Late Imperial Rome

    Key Features: Reuse of Earlier Art( Spolia), Stylized, abstracted figures, and Larger symbolic forms replacing realism
    Cultural/Historical Context: Art reflected political instability and transition toward christian symbolism.
  • Temple of Portunus (formerly known as Fortuna Virilis), travertine, tufa, and stucco, c. 120-80 B.C.E., Rome
    120 BCE

    Temple of Portunus (formerly known as Fortuna Virilis), travertine, tufa, and stucco, c. 120-80 B.C.E., Rome

    This temple mixed both Greek and Etruscan styles, depicting how romans borrowed ideas from other cultures.
  • Head of a Roman Patrician from Otricoli, c. 75–50 BCE, marble
    75 BCE

    Head of a Roman Patrician from Otricoli, c. 75–50 BCE, marble

    A Marble Portrait showing realism that emphasizes on wisdom and age, these are qualities represented in roman republican leaders.
  • Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater, or Amphitheatrum Flavium), c. 70-80 C.E., Rome
    70 BCE

    Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater, or Amphitheatrum Flavium), c. 70-80 C.E., Rome

    A big public area built to host spectacles and games, this shows Rome engineering skills and social control through entertainment.
  • Denarius (Coin) Portraying Julius Caesar Date, 42 BCE
    42 BCE

    Denarius (Coin) Portraying Julius Caesar Date, 42 BCE

    This coin shows Julius Caesar when he was alive, showing the leaders were focusing on self power.
  • Period: 27 BCE to 180 BCE

    Early Imperial Rome

    Key Features: Monumental Architecture,Idealized Imperial portraits, and emphasizing peace and divine authority.
    Cultural/Historical Context: Under Augustus and his successors, art work served as political promoting Pax Romana and glorified emperors as rulers guiding the empire.
  • Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), 9 B.C.E. (Ara Pacis Museum, Rome, Italy)
    9 BCE

    Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), 9 B.C.E. (Ara Pacis Museum, Rome, Italy)

    Marble reliefs celebrates the peace and prosperity of Augustus reign and unity of his family.
  • Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, late 2nd century – 4th century C.E.
    4 BCE

    Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, late 2nd century – 4th century C.E.

    This shows christ as the good Shepard, a symbol of salvation and care , painted in roman style fresco.
  • Augustus of Primaporta, 1st century C.E., marble, 2.03 meters high (Vatican Museums)
    1 BCE

    Augustus of Primaporta, 1st century C.E., marble, 2.03 meters high (Vatican Museums)

    An idealized Statue of Augustus portraying him as young, godlike leader symbolizing authority and peace.
  • 1 BCE

    Works Cited

    Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History. 16th ed., Cengage, 2020. Smarthistory. “Arch of Constantine.” Smarthistory, Khan Academy, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/arch-of-constantine/. Smarthistory. “Old St. Peter’s Basilica.” Smarthistory, Khan Academy, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/old-st-peters-basilica/. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Head of a Roman Patrician.” The Met Collection, https://www.metmuseum.org/.