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characteristics.
Late Empire art was still a combination of East and West, but certain trends were evident. Roman
sentiment became more nationalistic and decidedly anti-classical. This was a response to the deterioration of
the frontiers and the rise of foreign peoples within and outside of the borders. The Greek influence in art fell
out of favor. Painting was still popular, and carvings were used on the still popular sarcophagi. Christianity,
of course, would lead the Empire even further away from its classical heritage.
Beginning with the simple catacomb paintings, Christianity eventually overwhelmed and dominated
Western art after the reign of Constantine the Great. The pattern of Roman art, perpetually history-
minded and commemorative in nature, functioned alongside remnants of Greek and other provincial
elements, but could not maintain its independence. It would reappear in the Middle Ages, and classicism
would erupt as a marvelous art form in the Renaissance, but in the Late Empire it was in decline.
Architecture
The Augustan Age - The architecture of the Augustan Age was among the finest in the history of the
Empire. Rome itself was almost completely rebuilt in this period. Whereas a definite Latin element and
remnants of Style II and Republicanism were evident in its painting and sculpture, Rome possessed no such
architectural tradition, and building had not been fully organized or of a high quality. SUETONIUS
commented that the city was unworthy of its position as capital of the Empire. It was, therefore, the
privilege of Augustus to determine the style and extent of Rome's reconstruction.
Augustus chose, not surprisingly, the Greeks as a model. Using classicism, the emperor, with the support of
Marcus AGRIPPA, built the CURIA (in 29 B.C.), the TEMPLE OF DIVUS JULIUS (also in 29 B.C.), the
TEMPLE OF MARS ULTOR and the TEMPLE OF APOLLO (in 20 B.C.), the PANTHEON, new
aqueducts (the Aqua Julia and Aqua Virgo) and the Baths of Agrippa. These constructions were only a part
of the wider Augustan plan for the capital. Eighty-two temples were built or rebuilt, including the great
FORUM ROMANUM and FORUM AUGUSTUM.
The Forum Romanum had been greatly expanded by Julius Caesar in 54 B.C., but his death put an end to
further renovations. Augustus finished the project but increased the prestige of the Forum by installing
the greatest buildings of the city and the Empire within its confines. Julius Caesar's creation of a basilica
was finished by his heir, Augustus, who constructed the BASILICA JULIA (c. 12 B.C.), a testament to
his grandsons, Gaius and Lucius. It was a prominent part of the Forum, resting opposite the great
BASILICA AEMILIA - according to ancient sources, one of the most beautiful structures in Rome.
Rostra (speakers' podiums or lecterns) were built in front of the Temple of Divus Julius and across from
it the length of the Forum. Near the first rostra was the excellently carved Arch of Augustus, which was
built originally in 29 B.C. to commemorate the battle of ACTIUM but was enlarged and made into a
triple arch in 19 B.C. Augustus' arch stood next to the entrance of the TEMPLE OF CASTOR AND
POLLUX (c. 6 A.D.). The last great building in the Forum Romanum was the TEMPLE OF CONCORD
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