Invincible Sun? Son!
Arch of Constantine, San Clemente
Our last ‘class’ together–where did the time go?! We’ve traced Rome from the time of wattle and daub huts on the Palatine to a thriving city of regional importance, to the dominant power through out the Mediterranean and beyond. Our final step is to think about how the coming of Christianity into Roman politics at once represented change and continuity. Throughout this course we’ve seen the Romans looking to their own past and reformulate it for contemporary purposes. Today we meet this theme yet again. We also walk down three stories underground to experience the physical and literal depth of this history and how it has created not only archaeological layers but also a direct connection between the present and the past.
Readings
Claridge: pp. 308-312, 319-324; Alive! no. 71.
Solo Presentation Topics
(a) What Trajanic elements are on the Arch of Constantine?
(b) What Hadrianic elements are on the Arch of Constantine?
(c) What panels on the Arch of Constantine are authentically Constantinian? Or, at least close in date?
Logistics
Most of today is open air in public spaces, but we will end our time together with a visit underground!
THemes
What is the culture of spoliation? How does it connect to the ‘Jewelled Style’ in literature? How do we make sense of the transformation of Rome to a Christian city?
Blog Prompt
Take as your final theme LAYERS of history. Think about the experience of descending physically down into the past. Where else on this trip have you had similar experiences? What does this bring to mind.
Gallery
Rome via Brooklyn 