Product Description

Ideal for readers who are studying Roman art for the first time, this exceptionally well-illustrated volume 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. The authors present the history of Roman Art from the following time periods: Etruscan Forerunners 100-200 BC.; The Roman Republic 509-27 BC.; Augustus and the Imperial Idea 27 BC-AD 14; The Julio-Claudians AD 14-68; The Flavians: Savior to Despot AD 69-98; Trajan; Optimus Princeps AD 98-117; Hadrian and the Classical Revival AD 117-138; The Antonines AD 138-193; The Severans AD 193-235; The Soldier Emperors AD 235-284; The Tetrarchs AD 284-312; Constantine AD 307-337 and the Aftermath. For Roman Art enthusiasts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1723983 in Books
• Published on: 1991-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover

Review

"There is no book, in my opinion, that competes with this one... This book is excellent in every way. The approach is sound, for the authors are leading experts... I would recommend it in glowing terms." — Nancy T. De Grummond, Florida State University, Tallahassee

"Ramage and Ramage not only present the Roman world, but they show how Rome has influenced the modern world in many ways, and how the present is bound to the past... We have used no other text since Ramage and Ramage appeared." — Carol C. Mattusch, George Mason University

"The clarity and the use of ample illustrations make this an excellent choice as a text for an undergraduate course on Roman Art." — Mary Sturgeon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"Each and every chapter flows beautifully... This text, Roman Art, would seem to be appropriate for multidisciplinary classes involving art majors (especially art history), classic culture, history, Latin, architecture, and classical archaeology." — Robin M. Hicks, Ball State University

From the Publisher
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.

Nancy Ramage would also like to record her appreciation to the National Endowment for the Humanities, and to Elaine Gazda and Miranda Marvin, for the opportunity to participate in a seminar in Rome on "The Roman Art of Emulation."

Finally, we thank our students, near and far, for their helpful and gratifying comments; after all, we wrote this book for them in the first place. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

What greater satisfaction for two authors than to know that not only American and British students and members of the public are learning from our book, but now, also, students and others who speak French, German, Dutch, and Greek . . . and maybe other languages to come. We are immensely gratified and humbled by this development, and it has been a great pleasure to write the third edition, attempting always to keep the text and the pictures up to standard.

We are most grateful to those who have shared observations with us for this latest edition, including Albert Ammerman, Elizabeth Bartman, Kevin Glowacki, Naomi Norman, Paul Rehak, Christopher Roosevelt, Susan Schilling, Jocelyn Penny Small, R. J. A. Wilson, Susan Woodford, Fikret Yegul and especially Carol Mattusch and Richard Mason; and Elisabeth Ingles, Susan Bolsom and Ursula Payne for their fine work on the book. Nancy Ramage would also like to acknowledge her appreciation to Ithaca College for a Faculty Summer Research Grant to help in the preparation of this edition. And we thank our students at Ithaca College and Cornell University for their intelligent and thoughtful comments and lively discussions through many courses taught over the years.

We dedicate this book to the memory of our four parents, including, this time, our mothers, who lived to see the book and who shared with us our joy in its wide readership.

Customer Reviews

Good Introductory Text
As any student of Roman Art/Archaeology knows, good introductory texts are hard to find. This text, now considered by many to be the "standard text", is a MUST for anyone who is just beginning the journey into Roman Art and for more advanced students as a general reference. The authors cover the entire gamut of the subject with readable texts supplimented with excellent images. They were also wise enough to include the most up-to-date schalorly information.

Great book
"Roman Art" is easily one of the best art history books I have ever read. What really sets it apart is the writing style - rather than being dry and stuffy, the language is very clear, understandable, and *gasp* engaging! Be warned, the pictures are primarily black and white, but many of the objects covered, being marble statues and buildings, have no need for color. Those items that are printed in color, like wall paintings, are items that really benefit from it. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in Roman art, and even to those who aren't - I had no real interest in Roman art when I used "Roman Art" in an art history class, but this book has made it one of my favorite subjects.

The best!
This book is an absolute gem! It is thorough and very educational yet quite readable and even entertaining. The text is paired with brilliant photos that make the topic come to life. Even while cramming for a test, this book made my study time less boring and even enjoyable!
A must for anyone interested in the topic of Roman art - provides a solid foundation.