Rome via Brooklyn

DOUBLE POST

What seemed especially old and what seemed surprisingly modern? Was there one myth or god or symbol you kept seeing? Why do you think it was so ‘popular’? As you moved through the city on your own did any of the same style of architecture or images re occur?  Where and when?

Going to the museum inside an old factory made everything feel more real. The building looked a lot older and you could tell it had a long history. Turning it into a museum was a cool idea because it mixes the past with the present. The large windows and tall ceilings made the space feel open and full of light. It was interesting to see ancient art in a place that used to be used for work and machines. The whole space felt like a bridge between old and new times.

One thing I kept seeing over and over again was the image of Romulus and Remus. Their story showed up in different places like statues, carvings, and museum signs. I think they are so popular because they represent the beginning of Rome. People in every time period looked at their story as something special. The myth about the twins and the wolf reminds people where the city came from. Even today, the symbol of the two brothers is important in Roman culture.

As I walked through the museum and also outside in the city, I noticed similar things. Some government buildings had statues and carvings that looked like the ones inside the museum. I saw tall white columns and figures that looked like Roman gods. Even though they were newer, the design looked the same. This shows how Roman style is still being used today. It reminded me that even though time has passed, some things never really go away.

The sarcophagus in the first photo has a lot of detail. It shows a group of people sitting and talking on the left side. In the middle, you can see people playing instruments and others watching or joining in. On the right, there is a big bull being led by some men, maybe for a sacrifice. The whole piece tells a story. The people have different poses and faces which makes it feel like a real moment. Their clothes have folds and wrinkles. You can see their feet and how they are standing. Below the people, there is a row of leaf patterns carved into the stone. This gives it a decorated look and adds more meaning. It seems like this was made for someone important who took part in big events.

In the second photo, the face of the statue is calm and serious. You can tell the artist worked hard to make it look real. The most interesting part is the hair. There are little lines carved into it that look like they once held color. These lines show that the statue might have been painted long ago. It helps you picture what the person may have looked like with darker hair or more color on the face. Around the head is a circle with leaves that looks like a crown. This makes the person seem like someone with honor or high status.

One thing I found really interesting was learning that there was a time in Roman history when they were very interested in Egypt. I saw some statues and mosaics that were made in Egyptian style. The Romans copied Egyptian clothes, poses, and symbols in their art. It was cool to see how one ancient culture was looking at another even older one. They clearly respected Egypt’s history and wanted to bring parts of it into their own world. I think it is really cool that we are now studying both of these ancient cultures today. There was a pyramid close to Romes city center, and I find it interesting on how similar they built it to the egyptians. It makes me wonder if people in the future will study us the same way. Maybe someone in a museum will look at our buildings, art, or phones and try to understand how we lived. It is funny to think about, but also shows how history keeps moving forward and repeating in different ways. I also had meatballs today for the first time and it felt amazing to eat something that wasn’t pasta or bread – my stomach was honestly shocked but also very grateful.