Signs of Roman power essays

Signs of Roman power essays The power and prestige of the Roman Emperors were apparent in everything from the large, extravagant palaces of Rome, to Roman art and sculpture, and even in Roman coinage. Julius Caesar was the first emperor to put his own image on the face of a coin within his own lifetime. In this way, he was proving to the Roman public that his face was the ideal model of Roman power and strength. In 44 B.C., Caesar issued a coin bearing his portrait in the veristic style of the day. On one side of the coin, his face was shown in profile. His exaggerated long neck, large Adams apple, lined cheeks and high, wrinkled forehead were all clear signs of Caesars age and wisdom. He even wears a golden wreath to hide his slightly balding head. Whether or not this is a perfectly accurate portrayal of the emperor is not important, the only task is to show the emperor in an influential and authoritative light. On the reverse side of the coin, Caesar goes even farther with his propaganda by showing the god Venus, in her military armor as Victrix, holding Victoria in her right hand. By showing the goddess on his coin, Caesar is specifically trying to symbolize the link between his family and that of the ancient gods. If Caesar himself is related to a god, then he must be divine himself. In this way, he not only links himself to the divine gods, but also all of Rome as well (a country of superhumans!). Therefore, using his own image as a symbol, Caesar specifically tries to portray the idea of ideal Roman power and supremacy on every object he can- even Roman coins. Symbols of strength and military power are also prevalent in the architecture of ancient Rome. The Roman Colosseum, also called the Ampitheatrum Flavium, was 160 feet high with eighty entrances and could seat more than 50,000 people when it was erected by Vespasians son Titus. In 80 AD, when the theatre was completed, the opening show was comprised of one hundred days o...