ARHI 2300 1st Edition Lecture 14Outline of Last Lecture I. PantheonII. Comparing and Contrasting the Parthenon and Pantheon Outline of Current Lecture I. Relevant Roman HistoryII. Arch of ConstantineIII. Portrait of Constantine Current LectureI. Relevant Roman Historya. Emperor Diocletian ruled from 285-305 CEb. When there were problems in the Roman empire, Jews and Christians were blamed because they didn’t make offerings to Roman godsc. Diocletian made it legal to persecute/kill Christians i. Seemed to increase people’s desires to become Christiand. Diocletian also divided up the empire into two parts (the east and the west) i. Galerius and Constantius (west) and Diocletian and Maximian (east)ii. Tetrarchy- a reign by four (under Diocletian, this was the first time this had worked) e. The four passed down the reign to their sons, who competed in order to take powerf. Constantine was a co-ruler in the rest with Maxentius (they could not agree on anything and become locked in power struggle for the west)i. In 312 Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge andassumed control of the Western Roman EmpireII. Arch of Constantine, Roman Imperial, 312 – 315 CEThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.a. Triumphal arch; Constantine had it made for himself to commemorate his victory at Milvian Bride over Maxentiusi. Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire in 312 BECii. This arch was different because he won a civil war; triumphal arches weregenerally made after defeating an enemy of Romeb. Inscription makes it sound like the Senate and the people are behind this c. There are three arches instead of just one (more impressive) d. Spolia: taking specific aspects so associations are made i. Constantine wants association with the “good emperors”, so he references them in the archii. Ex. Trajan, Marcus, Aurelius1. round disks are taken from Hadriane. Hadrian rondels: Hadrian hunting a wild boar and Hadrian making an offer to Apollo (all four rondels are from Hadrian’s artists)f. Frieze: Constantine’s Oratio- Constantine giving a speech to the people of Rome g. Constantine’s Donation: Constantine is seated; one hand extended, he is giving money to the Roman people i. these are Constantine’s artists at workii. Figures seem stiff; not as much detail (enforces idea that Constantine is trying to appeal to all of the people of Rome, not just the high and mighty)h. Because of wear and tear, Constantine lost his headi. History: Constantine heard a voice that told him to have all the soldiers paint the “chi rho” on their shields (first two letters of Christ) and they would be victorious i. Christianity was still growing at this point; Constantine didn’t deny this story, but it may have been a political move ii. In 313, when the arch was being created, Constantine issued to Edict of Milan, which made it illegal to persecute Christians in the Western RomanempireIII. Portrait of Constantine (Colossus of Constantine), Roman Imperial, 315-330 CEa. This entire sculpture was over 40 feet highi. The head was made of marble; body made from woodii. One arm extended; one finger pointing up, another hand holding a globe (he is in charge of everything on earth)iii. Some records indicate that there was a cross on top of the globeb. Augustus was idealized but naturalistic; Constantine is more abstract/geometric (not as naturalistic) c. Constantine is sitting down- on the same level as the people d. Eyes are huge- look upward and outward (looking over everything) e. Hand pointing up suggests that his power comes from a god f. In 324 Constantine defeated the Emperor Licinius in the East and became sole ruler of the entire Roman Empirei. 325 Constantine convenes the Council of Nicea: Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empireii. This is a startling move; no more Roman gods (to some extent, this might have been to appease the Roman Christian population; or partly because of his own faith. However, he did not convert to Christianity unil he is on his deathbed in
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