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1 C.E. “You can learn from anyone, even your enemies.” Metamorphosis is an epic comprised of fourteen books. Ovid takes the reader through the worlds of humans and Gods.
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80 C.E. Colosseum is an amphitheatre. The prefix "amphi" means both. The word "theater" is in reference to a semicircular form, It accommodated over fifty thousand people. It is made with concrete and showcased the three architectural orders, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.
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106-13 C.E. Designed by Apollodorus of Damascus, the same creator of the Pantheon, the Column of Trajan was commissioned by Emperor Trajan. Ancient Romans traditionally built columns to celebrate military victory. A close-up of the relief that adorns the column details Trajan’s war victories and includes details about weapons, amour, and even military tactics. The reliefs spiral around the column which makes it difficult to see but it’s a good idea in theory.
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118-125 C.E. Pantheon is a large circular temple dedicated to the Gods. It was built by architect Apollodorus of Damascus and is very well preserved. The most important part is the interior, which was plated with gold and bronze. The literal meaning of Pantheon is “All the Gods.”
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164-166 C.E. Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelis. This huge sculpture depicts the Marcus Aurelis in traditional robes. The equestrian style became a favorite for depicting leaders.
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312-315 C.E. Arch of Constantine is a very complex art for the time period it was constructed. To celebrate his victory over Emperor Maxentius, Constantine had this giant triple arch built next to the Colosseum. The frieze originally had Constantine carved into it but it was later changed to look like a figure of Jesus.
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450-525 C.E. Finger Ring with Cross: The Frankish upper class adorned their hands with rings made of garnet, gold and mother of pearl.
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532-537 C.E. Hagia Sohpia, the Church of the Holy Wisdom was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. The church was designed by architects, Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus. Although this structure looks like it is just a dome, actually it is more of an oval. The central dome has half domes on the opposite sides. Explore the inside of Hagia Sophia.
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547 C.E. “Theodora and her Attendants” Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora are shown as good Christian rulers. The mosaic shows the Byzantine style, the people have long noses, large eyes, and small mouths. (Take a closer look at their feet… it looks as though some are stepping on each other.)
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625-633 C.E. Purse Cover (Sutton Hoo): This purse cover is a great example of the Germanic animal style. It was found in the burial ship of an East Anglian king. The artists created symmetry and animal shapes and used garnet and gold.
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900-1000 C.E. Standing Bodhisattva: They were people who had reached enlightened but made a decision to stay in the world to help others on their path to enlightenment. This piece is made with bronze.
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1021 C.E. “The Tale of Genji” The world’s first novel was written by a woman, Murasaki Shikibu. The novel romanticizes courtly life. “In a certain reign there was a lady not of the first rank whom the emperor loved more than any of the others. The grand ladies with high ambitions thought her a presumptuous upstart, and lesser ladies were still more resentful. Everything she did offended someone.” (Chapter 1)
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1066-1082 C.E. Bayuex Tapestry is an embroidered piece. It documents military the military combat of William, Dike of Normandy and King Harold of England.
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1036-1101 C.E. Poetry of Su Shi was considered a master of poetry, painting and calligraphy. This style was revered by Chinese because it was considered an aesthetic experience, since the poem was written in calligraphy and poems were typically painted. Translation from “China is Beautiful” “All in secrecy spring is stolen and wasted, wreaking vengeance in the middle of the night. How does it differ from a sickly youth up from his sickbed, his hair already white?”
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1098-1179 C.E. Hildegard of Bingen wrote music to be performed by the nuns that worked at her convent, "O Viridissima Virga" praises the Virgin Mary. “O greenest branch, I greet you, you who budded in the winds of the questioning of the saints.” Hildegard also wrote lyrical poetry.
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1180-1190 C.E. Chasse with the Crucifixion and Christ in Majesty: Reliquaries were to hold relics. Each section is engraved with a different scene.
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1150-1200 C.E. Virgin and Child in Majesty represent the Romanesque style. It subjects are stiff and is drawn proportionately. (Notice the robe pattern of Mary is not the same on the bottom of the piece.)
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760-820 C.E. Illuminated Manuscripts:: “Some of the richest, purely ornamental drawings ever produced are contained in the illuminated gospel called the “Book of Kells” (Strickland). The scripts feature imagery, letters and abstract patterns.
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359 C.E. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus is located in St. Peter’s Rome, the early sculpture was created shortly before Bassus died. The sarcophagus images represent the Old & New Testament. The viewer only needs basic Bible knowledge to recognize some of the subjects (Adam and Eve, Jesus, Mary Magdalene).
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970 C.E. Seeking the Tao in the Autumn Mountains was created by Zhu Jan. Influenced by Taoist artistic tradition; Jan used large brush strokes and dots of dark ink to focus the viewer’s eyes upward.
