Roman Art Romulus to Constantine

Product Description
For freshman/senior-level courses in Roman Art, Etruscan and Roman Art, Greek and Roman Art, The Roman World, Roman Civilization, Roman History.Ideal for students who are studying Roman art for the first time, this exceptionally well-illustrated text explores Roman art in the traditional historical manner-with a focus on painting, sculpture, architecture, and minor arts. It assumes no prior acquaintance with the classical world, and explains the necessary linguistic, historical, religious, social, and political background needed to fully understand Roman art.
From the Inside Flap
Preface
This book grows from three roots: first, our teaching, which, time and again, has proven to be a rich field for learning, and for thinking of ways to explain a problem in as straightforward a manner as possible; secondly, our firsthand experience working at Roman sites, primarily in England, Italy, and Turkey; and thirdly, the frequent discussions we hold about Roman affairs – at the bottom of a trench, or over the dinner table. Nancy Ramage’s participation in the work of the British School at Rome enabled her to live, so to speak, with the art and the ruins; and our joint work at Sardis, Turkey, has given us the opportunity to participate in an on-going excavation, and to see the results of a group effort unfold over many years.
The book is intended first and foremost for students and readers who are launching into the study of Roman art perhaps for the first time. We assume intelligent readers, but we have tried to explain what may riot be obvious in terms of background, be it linguistic, historical, or religious. With a view to showing something of the long study of Roman monuments, we have chosen some of the illustrations from older photographs, engravings, and drawings, which seem to capture the spirit better than modern ones. The architectural remains have been cited and illustrated as their importance requires, but we have tried to illustrate sculpture or painting from collections in the United States, Britain, and Canada, where possible, so that North American and British students will have a better chance of looking at some of the originals.
Of the many scholars who taught us about Roman art, we would especially like to share our warm appreciation here for the inspiration of several mentors who are no longer living: Doris Taylor Bishop, George M. A. Hanfmann, A. H. McDonald, and John B. Ward-Perkins. For specific ideas, we gratefully acknowledge assistance from Ellen, Roger, and Edward Hirschland, David Castriota, J. Stephens Crawford, Caroline Houser, Barbara K. McLauchlin, Elizabeth J. Sherman, Andrew Stewart, Susan Woodford, and the anonymous readers for the press, who made many valuable suggestions. We are also grateful to Norwell F. Therien, Jr., at Prentice Hall, and to Rosemary Bradley and Ursula Sadie at Calmann and King, London, for their outstanding assistance. Our children, Joan and Michael, have been most patient and supportive. We also thank our friends and colleagues with whom we have discussed problems of Roman art – but do not saddle them with responsibility for the positions taken here. And finally, we dedicate this book to the memory of our respective fathers, optimis patribus, each of whom set us upon the Roman road. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to those friends and scholars who have provided suggestions and ideas for the second edition. Among them are: Frederick M. Ahl, Elizabeth Bartman, Larissa Bonfante, Richard Brilliant, Nancy T. de Grummond, James Higginbotham, Catherine HobeyHamsher, Mary Hollinshead, Eric Hostetter, Michael Koortbojian, Robert D. Markham, Carol C. Mattusch, John G. Pedlep, Roberto Marini, Christopher Parslow, Christopher Simon, E. Marianne Stern, Alice Taylor, Rolf Winkes, Susan Wood, and Susan Woodford; and Elisabeth Ingles, for her help in the final stages.
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