Exploring the Beauty of Ancient Roman Art in Rome

By Talia Bega

When thinking about Rome, many may think about the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain. But Rome is also full of hidden mysteries from the ancient Roman world, especially in its museums. Rome was at its peak in the second century, during a rise in the arts that helped glorify Roman emperors in all their power and splendor. The Roman emperor embodied the power of the whole empire and, in some cases, could be tyrannical or good toward his people. These emperors often used connections to the gods to support their authority, with some claiming descent from Mars. The gods played a major role in how emperors presented themselves, and their influence can still be seen all over Rome today. For instance, gods like Mars (Ares) were associated with leading the Romans to victory, while Cybele, also known as the Magna Mater, had a temple on the Capitoline Hill where emperors like Augustus honored her.

These gods were inspired by their Greek counterparts. The gods would serve as a guide to the common people, with temples being built and to share within the common people themselves. Soon these beliefss would be transformed into art, combining mythological stories with some of the greatest masterpieces of the ancient world. These artworks were placed in palaces and gardens all over the empire. Today, artwork is such an important lens for studying the history of Rome. From statues of emperors to Latin inscriptions, there is so much worth seeing. Through a modern lens, Rome still preserves many traces of these gods in its museums. Rome is a major tourist destination but also such a wonderful place to check out the glory from the past. For those interested in ancient Rome and the gods, the Capitoline Museums and Palazzo Massimo are excellent places to visit.

The Capitoline Museum

The museum itself plays a crucial role in the history of the Roman Empire and is located on Capitoline Hill, which was known as a place for various sacred sites, including the Temple of Jupiter, which still has a few remains to this day (Ridley 84). Before, it had various shrines, including figures of Vulcan (Hephaestus), and other spots for the Romans to honor the gods, as well as a place for the Roman Senate. Its origins lay with the Sabines in the late 8th century BC. Capitoline Hill has a vast history of buildings and, throughout the years, even served as a prison for some time. To many, it is just a hill, but today it forms one of the leading foundations of ancient Roman collections in Rome.

Pope Sixtus IV founded the museum itself in 1471 when he donated part of his collection of ancient antiques. This would soon turn into a larger collection of artworks collected from Renaissance masters in the 16th century. The square itself had various designs by the famous Michelangelo that took a few centuries to complete. In 1734, the museum was made public by Clement XII. Today, it houses some of the largest collections of art, from Latin inscriptions to sculptures, combining the two fields together. It is rare for both sections of history to combine so closely in one museum. The museum offers several floors in two buildings that expand the gallery.

Speaking of gods, the Capitoline Museums offer so much throughout these galleries. Some figures include Venus (Aphrodite), Minerva (Athena), and Eros, which are some of the galleries’ famous statues. For many people, it is hard to tell who is who, but there is a little trick that can help. Many of these gods have attributes, like Minerva, who is known to be in full armor, or Diana (Artemis), who is often seen with a deer or a bow and arrow. Besides looking at the aspect of the gods, there is also a major collection of Roman emperor statues and busts that is worth a visit alone.

The museum is also known for its collection of paintings ranging from the Renaissance to the Baroque, including works by Caravaggio, who was a very popular artist of his time. These collections are worth noting and can be highly recommended to visitors.

Palazzo Massimo

In 1536, Renaissance architect Baldassare Peruzzi built one of the nicest villas, which today houses a large collection of Roman busts and frescoes dating back to the empire. What makes it unique is that it is right across from the Baths of Diocletian, named after the Roman emperor Diocletian, who reigned from 284–305 CE. The palazzo was destroyed but was rebuilt in 1884, and the museum reopened in 1995.

The museum itself offers three floors, each with some dedication to a specific subject. The first floor, for instance, focuses on Roman busts and the process of rebuilding the empire itself. The second floor shows mythological sculptures and scenes from various myths, while the third primarily focuses on Roman frescoes. This is one place that should definitely be on the list for many people who want to see connections between Roman art, mythology, and history.

The collection itself has a lot to offer, from statues of Apollo to scenes of nymphs. It is a small museum, but the collection itself does show Rome in its full glory. One of the most interesting pieces is the statue of Emperor Augustus as Pontifex Maximus, which happens to be one of the most famous statues in many textbooks.

The same tips come to mind when looking at marble sculptures, but some scenes also come from books like Ovid’s Metamorphoses, which allows for a larger connection between ancient texts and the art world. These books have such a strong connection within the art world. One thing that is crucial to know is that both museums have free admission on the first Sunday of the month, which is important to note when visiting.

*Bust of Augustus as the Pontacus Maximus, 1st century, Palazzo Massimo Photo taken by Talia Bega*

About the author

Talia Bega is a 20-year-old medievalist currently studying in Rome for a year. She focuses on medieval history and has a passion for early Renaissance art history. In her free time Talia writes for various medieval pages as their main writer which includes History Mediaeval and the Medievalists.net. She also runs a podcast known as History with Talia, where she interviews historians from all over the world. In her free time she enjoys going to museums and reading a good book. She is in the process of writing a book on the life of Isabeau of Bavaria and hopes to pursue her rest of her bachelor’s degree in the states.

Latest Comments