University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Medical Technology

Classical Art

Submitted by: Ixzi Thia G. Alforque 2B-MT

Submitted to: Sir Francis Quilantang

What are the differences and similarities between Greek and Roman sculpture?

Impressed by the Greek cities’ wealth and culture, Roman generals

returned home with Greek works of art—and soon, the wealthier Romans
desired to have their own copies of these crafts. To meet this demand, Roman
artists created bronze and marble versions of the Greek art. The Romans used
the molds taken from the original sculptures to create casts that were duplicated
in bronze or marble. It was a given that marble lacked the workable strength,
so these sculptures required support that were carved in different shapes.
Because of the Romans’ policy of expansion, birthed the reason behind
the vast similarities between Greek and Roman sculptures. Both Roman and
Greek sculptures put effort into details. Many Roman sculptures are wholly
Roman in outset, some of them are exact copies of their Greek counterparts—
or different variations that were just adapted to the taste of the Roman client.
Roman sculptures sometimes combine the head of a Greek god or hero with an
ordinary Roman’s portrait head. Because Roman art borrowed heavily from the
Greeks, Roman sculptures provide us with primary visual evidence of the
masterpieces of the Greeks, since most of Greek art have been melted down to
be reused or lost. It is also evident that both Classical art eras idolize a higher
state of power.
One of the most explicit differential features between the Roman and
Greek sculptures is the demonstration of the head and the body. In Greece, the
head often represented the age and character of the sculpture, and the body was
idealized with strength and eternal youth—wearing helmets and holding swords
to show power. On the other hand, the Romans were more symbolic—the faces
were more pragmatic and realistic, which helped identify the person. The
Romans focused on idealizing emperors and those were in power, while the
Greeks focused on mythological gods and heroes. This can be observed because
the Romans ofttimes replaced the heads of gods with that of a famous emperor.
Spiritualism and Idealism became the roots of the Greeks when it comes to art,
and although the Romans were highly influenced by the Greeks, they were
angled towards a more realistic and pragmatic artistic approach.
What were some of the major Roman Achievements in architecture and
engineering?

Up to date, the Roman civilization is known to be one of the greatest

empires known to man—but their success is not only based on their military
strength but also on their era’s intellectual and artistic prowess. Their
architectural and engineering accomplishments are forces to be reckoned
with—Roman monuments, sculptures, buildings, inventions, and engineering
feats still stand erect today in many present cities and towns: reminders of the
once great time that has permanently etched itself in our history as a powerful
epoch.
The questions still remain: Romans had nothing but human muscle and
animal power: compared to our modern machines, how did they create such
lasting heritages? Classical architecture tells us that the Romans developed
their knowledge based on what they learned from the Greeks—not only in
architecture and art but in engineering as well. Roads, bridges, tunnels, and
aqueducts are all products of the wit of the Romans. Their creations that still
are used today represent their superior skills and resourcefulness. Bridges and
aqueduct construction were improved by the Roman engineers by developing
materials and techniques. They refined weapons and created machines that used
the power of water. These inventions provided the Romans with improved daily
lives.
The Roman aqueduct was the supplier of water to the private households,
public baths, and the cities using gravity to transport water. Although aqueducts
already existed in for centuries before the Romans’, the Romans innovated their
version. It consisted of conduits and tunnels that stemmed from far-away
springs. These were also used to power machines and mills. Remarkable
aqueducts known to date include the Aqueduct of Segovia in Spain and the Pont
du Gard in France.
Romans also utilized roads on which they relied on heavily to connect the
main cities to the provinces. Besides movement and transportation of military,
the roads were used in trade and communication. Because these roads were
built to withstand the toughest situations, some Roman roads are still used
today.
 Although the Romans were not the first to create arches, they were the
first to use arches as bridges. Using concrete, Roman bridges had arches called
voussoirs, which was effective in distributing the weight on the bridge. These
structures made sure that the bridges were sturdy. All around Europe, there are
hundreds of Roman bridges that still exist—these serve as testament to the
tensile strength of Roman structures. An example would be Pont Julien in
France.
The above-mentioned structures would not have been possible if not for
another Roman invention, perhaps their most important contribution to the
world—concrete. Rome went through a “Concrete Revolution”, where they
created a unique mixture of volcanic dust and rock pieces that resulted in the
opus caementicium, or more commonly known as the Roman Concrete.
Because of this invention, we can up to this day marvel at the glory of the
cement masterpieces such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
Besides the aforementioned creations, the Romans also made the
watermill, and were the first to utilize advanced technology in mining
operations. Roman engineers also designed weapons in high caliber which gave
them battlefield advantage and in turn allowed them to conquer many other
territories.
When it comes to architecture, the Romans are outstanding. Even though
they did not invent the arch and the vault, they mastered these elements and
used them in their styles in ways the Greeks did not do. Their gigantic arches
were built to commemorate the times they won battles. Because of this, the arch
has significant meaning to the Romans—with the largest surviving arch up to
this date: The Arch of Constantine.
One of the greatest architectural feats the world knows—the Colosseum
is a massive structure that used to house thousands of spectators. It was built
with the spoils of war and is a trademark of Roman styled architecture. Roman
architecture catered mainly to the public structures the Romans built which
usually were built for entertainment but also many other purposes like showing
power or worshipping. Rome is filled with these magnificent edifices.
Another important feature that could be observed in public Roman
buildings are domes. Large areas are covered by domes without support using
principles of circular geometry—all products of Roman masterminds. In the 2nd
century, yet another global feat was built: The Pantheon, is today’s largest
unsupported concrete dome in the world.
Why is Classical art important in the discussion of the history of the western
tradition of art?
The Western tradition of art has a very rich culture that is made up of
succeeding periods that include classical, medieval, Byzantine, Romanesque,
Renaissance, baroque, rococo, neoclassicism, Romanticism, realism,
Impressionism, modernism and postmodernism. Classical art is where it all
began: the stepping stone into the glory of Western art. Discussing Classical art
is comparable to learning the history of your family—retracing your steps and
finding out where your roots were planted.
Greek and Roman culture make up majority of Classical art—therefore,
Classical art endures in the Western civilization as its cornerstone. Western
innovations in different artistic coups such as paintings, architectural buildings,
and sculptures stemmed off Classical ideas that pursued proportion, harmony,
and aesthetic. These lived on as the periods changed and shifter as the years
went by.
Because Western art is just the reception of classical antiquities of the
Greco-Roman, post-classical art developed from Classical creations. These
classical artworks were the bases and soon, the different succeeding periods
continue to be influenced by Classical art. Classical art plays a major primary
role in the history of Western art. You cannot discuss Western art’s history
without beginning from Classical art. The three major influencing areas of
Classical art is their Philosophy, political thought, and mythology. It is not only
in Western art that Classical art is seen, it also prevails worldwide and could be
observed in a number of global cultures.
Classical Art is as powerful as its name—Classic, but, a force to be
reckoned with.