Children in the Visual Arts of Imperial Rome - Hardcover

Uzzi, Jeannine Diddle

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 052182026X ISBN 13: 9780521820264

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005

Synopsis

Modern approaches to Roman imperialism have often characterized Romanzation as a benign or neutral process of cultural exchange between Roman and non-Roman, conqueror and conquered. Although supported by certain types of literary and archaeological evidence, this characterization is not reflected in the visual imagery of the Roman ruling elite. In official imperial art, Roman children are most often shown in depictions of peaceful public gatherings before the emperor, whereas non-Roman children appear only in scenes of submission, triumph, or violent military activity. Images of children, those images most fraught with potential in Roman art, underscore the contrast between Roman and non-Roman and as a group present a narrative of Roman identity. As Jeannine Diddle Uzzi argues in this 2005 study, the stark contrast between images of Roman and non-Roman children conveys the ruling elite's notions of what it meant to be Roman.

About this title

Book Description

In this 2005 study, Jeannine Uzzi examines the ruling elite's notions of what it meant to be Roman by examining images of children in Roman imperial art. Roman children are most often shown in depictions of peaceful public gatherings before the emperor, whereas non-Roman children appear only in scenes of submission, triumph, or violent military activity.

About the Author

Jeannine Uzzi is assistant professor of classics at the University of Southern Maine.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 052182026X
• ISBN 13: 9780521820264
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 266