Titus Flavius’ Contribution to Art and Architecture

Titus Flavius

Titus Flavius Vespasianus lived in Rome from December 30, 39 to September 13, 81 AD (“Titus”). The greater duration of his time was spent in the military until he succeeded to the throne as Roman emperor in 79 AD from his father Vespasian (“Titus”). In the year 70, he commanded the troop against Jewish rebels, captured Jerusalem, and suppressed the revolt (“Titus”). A year later, Emperor Vespasian appointed Titus as the commander of the Praetorian guard (“Titus”).

Titus was regarded by historians as “an ideal emperor” with his generosity and great spending on games and monuments (“Titus”). During the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, the plague and fire the year later (AD 80), he lavishly provided aid to the victims (“Titus”). The completion of the Colosseum was credited to him (“Titus”).

Art and Architecture

Art and architecture in Rome from 753 to 509 BC were primarily influenced by Etruscan and other “Italic traditions” and mildly by the Greeks (“Roman art”). It was only during the 3rd and 2nd century BC that original Roman art began to take form (“Roman art”). Architectural materials primarily used were mud and brick which were reinforced by timber (“Roman art”). Stone was utilized for “terraces, fortifications, and foundations.” (“Roman art”). However, the use of mud became less popular as a stone and baked bricks became predominant starting the 3rd century (“Roman art”).

Roman fascination with sculpture is manifested in its proliferation as part of architectural design (e.g. roof edges, gable), temples, tombstones, grave statues, as a token of honor to public figures and private individuals, etc. (“Roman art”). The media used are stone and marble (for architecture, statues on graves and tombstones subscribing to the Etruscan tradition, residential decorations among wealthy Romans), bronze (for architecture, honorary statues, images of gods in temples, reproduction or imitation of Greek sculpture) and terra-cotta (for architecture, “figural or ornamental relief” for plaques, huge statues in early temples) (“Roman art”).

One notable art expression of the Romans is portrait sculpture. This type of sculpture traces its origin from “ancestor masks (imagines maiorum)” practiced at homes and statues in public places erected in honor of individuals (“Roman art”). Marble busts or “abbreviated form” blossomed from the late Republic and became more life-like during the first century (“Roman art”). The busts at the time of Augustus, 31 BC to 14 AD, were based on Greek practice which was “more subdued” and idealized (“Roman art”). A sophisticated expression manifested from 200 to 250 AD (Late Antique period) with the subject showing emotion but “highly formal,… rigid features and aloof expressions” (“Roman art”).

Relief sculptures were largely used on funerals and tombs wherein friezes and panels depict the departed person doing work in one’s profession or supporting the community (“Roman art”). Sarcophagus with mythological figures appeared at the time of Hadrian. Reliefs with historical undertone as well as propaganda flourished during the time of Augustus and two hundred years afterward that showed accomplishments, ideology, and fashion (the latter expression can be seen at arches and altars) (“Roman art”).

Interior wall decorations were made through painting and stucco (in addition to the polychrome marble) which were seen at the Herculaneum and Pompeii (“Roman art”). The types of a certain technique that imitated “articulated marble-encrusted wall in painted stucco” are

1. incrustation (used in Greece and Italy, prevalent during the Republic),
2. the “vertical architectural framework bracketed trompe l’oeil views” (first century BC) depicting scenes of the city, rural countryside, sea, and mythology,
3. reversion to two-dimension delicate decoration in huge panels (start of 20 BC), and
4. the “deep vistas” appearing at “narrow facsimile windows” (reappeared during the middle of the first century AD) (“Roman art”).

There was also the triumphal painting, a continuous poster depiction of the advancement of military crusades (illustrated by the Column of Trajan spiral frieze) (“Roman art”).

The Flavian Heritage

The appearance and changes in arts and architecture are spread across the time that Rome reigned. Some specific designs in art or architecture appeared at other times outside the rule of Titus Flavius which has a duration of only 26 months. However, there are structures built during the reign of the Flavians, from the father of Titus (Vespasian) to his brother Domitian, namely:

1. Temple of Peace (Templus Pacis, Vespasian inaugurated in 75 AD to observe victory in Judea),
2. Colosseum (commenced by Vespasian, inaugurated by Titus in 80 AD),
3. Templum Gentis Flaviae (erected by Domitian in 95 AD in honor of the Flavian family),
4. Arch of Titus (erected by Domitian in 95 AD, dedicated to Titus),
5. Flavian Palace and Domus Augustana (both were commenced by Vespasian and completed by Domitian, the palace manifested the Flavians’ power and influence while the Domus was their private residence), and
6. Stadium of Domitian (erected by Domitian for sports competition, later became the Piazza Navona) (Moreno par. 14).

Works Cited

Moreno, Pablo. Does Rome need Vespasian today? 2009. Web.

“Roman art and architecture.” Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge. 1995.

“Titus, Roman Emperor.” Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge. 1995.