The Prehistoric culture era, was a very large spanning era in human history, around between the years of 200,000, and 2000 B.C. A lot of developmental progress happened during this timeframe. Most notably, this was the era where stone tools, language, cooking, culture and weaponry were all developed for the first time. This is also the era, where the development of art, was introduced to humankind. Through imagery such as cave paintings, carvings, and sculptures. This laid the foundation, of modern art, as we see it today. See the image below (figure 11)is an example of an image depicting cave artwork.
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| Figure 1 |
Neolithic cave paintings are pieces created during the Neolithic era, which was between 4500-2000bc. Interestingly according to scientific research, there were more female artists creating these paintings than male. This is proven by comparing the hand sizes, on works featuring hand prints.
A brief video (above2) on the Lascus caves, and the notable artwork history.
The earliest human civilisations and cultures, began in Africa with small indigenous tribes, this is where humankind originated from, and Africa is known as the birthplace of humanity. After a migration north to Europe, evolution took hold, and due to environmental changes, this gave way to Neanderthal man, an ancestor of the modern day genus, Homo Sapiens.
Many large cultures and empires existed after the prehistoric era period, for example, the Egyptian empire, Roman empire, the Ottoman empire, and the Mayan empire. These empires were the key empires, who were the most influential, and powerful at the time, although they reached their peak at different times. This period in human history, was also the point in which Islamic religion, began to rise. For this section of the research, this essay will research the topic, of Ancient Rome.
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| Figure 2 |
The illustration figure above (figure 23) is a chart detailing all 26 characters in the English alphabet. The typography ‘Times New Roman’ is derived from the Roman period.
The ancient civilisation of Rome, otherwise known as the Roman empire, began around
about the year of 350bc, and ended around 535ad4. The Romans were a very advanced civilisation at the time, and are often referred to as the worlds first historical superpower. They laid the foundations of our culture today. Such influences that today’s society have taken on from ancient Rome, include our modern day characterised alphabet, architecture, governing systems, laws, religion and
language, which are very important aspects to a highly advanced culture.
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| Figure 3 |
At the peak of the empire, the area that was under Roman control, extended from England at it’s most northern point, to lower Aegyptus, (which is modern day Egypt today) at its southern point. Spain at its most eastern, and Syria at its far western.
The empire was massive, and very powerful and influential, this is very impressive, especially with technology at the time. Forts, defences and similar structures were established across Europe, for example Hadrian’s wall in Northumberland, England. A giant wall stretching from Wallsend in the east, to the shore of Solway Firth in the west. This was constructed to separate England, (otherwise known as Britannia to the Romans) from the ‘barbarian’ civilisations above, in modern day Scotland. Scotland (as a whole country) was never once part of the Roman Empire. See image above, (figure 35, which shows empire to the fullest extent.
Religion was a key influence in ancient roman artwork. This artwork spanned across multiple themes and styles, ranging from figures, to carvings, paintings, statues and more. Early romans had believed that godly beings where all around them, and that they could become friend;y toward them if they did such activities such as praying, and giving offerings, even such things as participating in animal sacrificing rituals. Some of the gods that the Romans worshipped included Venus, Jupiter, Vesta, Mercury, Janus, Mars and Vulcan. Some of these names are more well known today, due to the names of many of the planets and celestial bodies in the universe. Many temples were built in rome for the purpose of worshipping. When Rome turned into an empire, their emperors, (leaders), were thought of as gods as well.
Because the romans had such a vast empire in their later stages, controlling some areas of Africa and northern Europe, the civilisations under their command consisted of a wide range of cultures. For example the Romans came across the gods of Isis and Serapis in Egypt, and although the Romans accepted other cultures differences in terms of religions, by accepting the new gods and goddesses into their own religion, certain practises and faiths were outlawed. Such religions that were outlawed, included the Jewish faith, and Christians at first, however later, Christianity became the official religion of the empire and state in 132ad.6
An example of artwork pieces from the era of the Roman empire now, and the figure below, (figure 47), is a great example of a religious themed piece.
Figure 4 is a mural painting, which is showing the Roman goddess Venus, lying inside of a shell. Venus is notably surrounded by a veil type of clothing, and you can see it wafting in the breeze. It could be argued that this is a symbol of of her godly status, and also perhaps a symbol of her femininity.
The figure above (figure 58) is another religious piece that was painted during the years of the Roman empire. It features a very christian theme, and this is seen in such elements as the cut off cross in the corner of the image. the clasping of the hands is another aspect of the piece that suggests the theme of religion.
Figure 69, which can be found below this text, is another example of Christian themed artwork. This time in the form of a mosaic floor piece. The mosaic is from the 4th century AD, and was found in an old Roman villa in Dorset, Britain. The middle of the piece shows the head of Jesus Christ, as well as two letters from his name, written in Greek.
Religion was a key influence in ancient roman artwork. This artwork spanned across multiple themes and styles, ranging from figures, to carvings, paintings, statues and more. Early romans had believed that godly beings where all around them, and that they could become friend;y toward them if they did such activities such as praying, and giving offerings, even such things as participating in animal sacrificing rituals. Some of the gods that the Romans worshipped included Venus, Jupiter, Vesta, Mercury, Janus, Mars and Vulcan. Some of these names are more well known today, due to the names of many of the planets and celestial bodies in the universe. Many temples were built in rome for the purpose of worshipping. When Rome turned into an empire, their emperors, (leaders), were thought of as gods as well.
Because the romans had such a vast empire in their later stages, controlling some areas of Africa and northern Europe, the civilisations under their command consisted of a wide range of cultures. For example the Romans came across the gods of Isis and Serapis in Egypt, and although the Romans accepted other cultures differences in terms of religions, by accepting the new gods and goddesses into their own religion, certain practises and faiths were outlawed. Such religions that were outlawed, included the Jewish faith, and Christians at first, however later, Christianity became the official religion of the empire and state in 132ad.6
An example of artwork pieces from the era of the Roman empire now, and the figure below, (figure 47), is a great example of a religious themed piece.
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| Figure 4 |
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| Figure 5 |
Figure 69, which can be found below this text, is another example of Christian themed artwork. This time in the form of a mosaic floor piece. The mosaic is from the 4th century AD, and was found in an old Roman villa in Dorset, Britain. The middle of the piece shows the head of Jesus Christ, as well as two letters from his name, written in Greek.
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| Figure 6 |
Over time, the civilisation eventually collapsed, and left the empire’s influences around Europe. This leaves extensive structures like Hadrian’s wall still standing. However the eastern Roman empire remained somewhat intact even after the fall of Rome, and is usually referred to as Byzantine.
References Used:
1. Figure 1: “Presumed hunting scene of a wounded Bison from Lascaus caves”, Cunliffe, B. (2001) The Oxford Illustrated History of Prehistoric Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. (Video 1): URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A Viewed: 9:19pm 8.3.14
3. (Figure 2): Roman Font Style, typophile.com/files/085_const-roman_alphabet_3718.gif viewed: 4:38pm (27.2.24)
3. (Figure 2): Roman Font Style, typophile.com/files/085_const-roman_alphabet_3718.gif viewed: 4:38pm (27.2.24)
4. Rodgers, N (2004) The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome. Pg: 10-13, London: Lorenz publishing.
5. (Figure 3): URL: http://www.roman-empire.net/maps/empire/extent/rome-modern-day-nations.html, Viewed: 1:06pm, 24.2.14.
6. Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Pg: 38-39, Oxford: Facts on File.
7. Figure 4: "Venus Mural" Artist: Unknown, c62-79AD. Stierlin, H. (2002) The Roman Empire: From the Etrusacans to the Decline of the Roman Empire. Pg: 111 Köln: Benedikt Taschen.
8. Figure 5: "discovery and triumph of the Cross", Artist: Eyewitness Travel Guide: Rome, Pg: 181 (1999) London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
9. Figure 6: "4th century AD mosaic floor from a Roman villa in Dorset". Artist: Unknown, Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Pg: 39 Oxford: Facts on File.
10. Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Pg: 39 Oxford: Facts on File.
6. Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Pg: 38-39, Oxford: Facts on File.
7. Figure 4: "Venus Mural" Artist: Unknown, c62-79AD. Stierlin, H. (2002) The Roman Empire: From the Etrusacans to the Decline of the Roman Empire. Pg: 111 Köln: Benedikt Taschen.
8. Figure 5: "discovery and triumph of the Cross", Artist: Eyewitness Travel Guide: Rome, Pg: 181 (1999) London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
9. Figure 6: "4th century AD mosaic floor from a Roman villa in Dorset". Artist: Unknown, Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Pg: 39 Oxford: Facts on File.
Alphabetical Ordered Bibliography:
(Figure 2): Roman Font Style, typophile.com/files/085_const-roman_alphabet_3718.gif viewed: 4:38pm (27.2.24)
(Figure 3): URL: http://www.roman-empire.net/maps/empire/extent/rome-modern-day-nations.html, Viewed: 1:06pm, 24.2.14.
(Video 1): URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A Viewed: 9:19pm 8.3.14
Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Oxford: Facts on File.
Figure 1: “Presumed hunting scene of a wounded Bison from Lascaus caves”, Cunliffe, B. (2001) The Oxford Illustrated History of Prehistoric Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Figure 4: "Venus Mural" Artist: Unknown, c62-79AD. Stierlin, H. (2002) The Roman Empire: From the Etrusacans to the Decline of the Roman Empire. Pg: 111 Köln: Benedikt Taschen.
Figure 5: "discovery and triumph of the Cross", Artist: Eyewitness Travel Guide: Rome, Pg: 181 (1999) London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
Figure 6: "4th century AD mosaic floor from a Roman villa in Dorset". Artist: Unknown, Corbishley, M. (1989) Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas For Young People. Oxford: Facts on File.
Rodgers, N (2004) The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome. London: Lorenz publishing.
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