The period of antiquity is characterized by the dominance of empires ruled by a single person. An emperor, or a monarch, concentrated the whole power in his hands and made decisions impacting the nation. At the same time, this concept rested on the idea of the unique nature of this very person, unusual features, and even the divine origin of the rule. That is why art and architecture were used as tools to support the idea of the emperor’s right to rule, expression of authority, and dominance of legal power. Every period has its unique characteristics showing the peculiarities of the epoch and its central ideas.
The period of the Persian conquest by Alexander and the rise of Hellenistic Kingdoms was greatly influenced by the figure of the king who managed to conquer the bigger part of the civilized world. For this reason, art was employed as the method to emphasize his achievements, unique power, and the right to rule. For instance, Alexander Sarcophagus from the necropolis near Sidon, Lebanon, is one of the artworks representing this idea. It has marble cravings depicting Alexander fighting the Persians at the Battle of Issus (Woodford 76). The king is shown as a hero who beats other warriors who are inferior to him and cannot resist (Woodford 76). This piece of art shows the king as the center of authority and also justifies the right of other Hellenistic rulers to govern.
The rise of Rome and the establishment of the Roman Empire became a period fundamental for the whole Western world. It created the basis for current civilization and impacted the development of all spheres, including art. With the rise of the Empire, it became a tool to emphasize their divine nature and the right to hold absolute power. Colosseum, one of the most famous buildings of the ancient world, was constructed by the Flavian dynasty as the symbol of Roman dominance, genius, and Emperors’ unlimited authority (Tuck 156). The giant and complex building inspired and astonished people and made them believe in the unique role the dynasty plays in the nation’s life.
Finally, the late Roman Empire, or the Late Antiquity, is also characterized by the use of art as a method to show the importance of monarchs and their right to rule. For instance, Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs is a sculpture of four Roman Emperors belonging to this period (Ramage and Ramage 201). It is made in a new tradition different from the classical antique art and describes co-ruling emperors from the first tetrarchy to emphasize the unity of the Roman Empire and the right of the dynasty to determine the destiny of the nation (Ramage and Ramage 201). The artwork represents a new trend characterized by combining old elements with new ones and justifying the Emperor’s position in the society of that period.
Altogether, the time from the Hellenistic Kingdoms to the Late Antiquity was the period of Emperors, kings, and their absolute power. For this reason, art had unique features used to emphasize the significance of dynasties or individuals and their right to make decisions impacting the whole nation. Sculptures and buildings had motifs showing the heroic acts of emperors and forms to surprise a viewer, impress him/her, and underline the unique role of a state in the world. Being a powerful tool, art was employed by all kings to justify their legal right to rule and dominate in society.
Works Cited
Ramage, Nancy, and Andrew Ramage. Roman Art. 6th ed., Pearson, 2014.
Tuck, Steven. A History of Roman Art. Wiley-Blackwell.
Woodford, Susan. Greek & Roman Art. Thames & Hudson, 2020.