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Early empire

Decorative fresco from the Domus Transitoria on the Palatine Hill, Rome c. 60 C.E. (photo: dalbera, CC BY 2.0) — […]

The Domus Aurea, Nero’s Golden Palace

by Jessica Mingoia

Obelisk in Piazza del Popolo (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) — The Roman emperor Augustus brought many ancient Egyptian obelisks back to the the city of Rome.

Obelisks and ancient Rome

by Dr. Kimberly Cassibry

Mausoleum of Augustus, 2019 (photo: Jamie Heath, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://flic.kr/p/2ibtYLY — From Augustus, to Mussolini, and now Bulgari, the long strange history of the Mausoleum of Augustus.

The Mausoleum of Augustus and the Piazza ...

by Dr. Laurie Kalb Cosmo

Pont du Gard, Provence, France (photo: Tiberio Frascari, CC0) — The Pont du Gard is one of the greatest public works projects spearheaded in the Augustan age.

Pont du Gard

by Jessica Mingoia

volubilis — The Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C.E., became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings.

Volubilis

by UNESCO

Trajan expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest extent, celebrating his victories with this monumental column.

Column of Trajan

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Augustus of Prima Porta, 1st c. AD, Vatican Museums — Nothing was more important to a Roman emperor than his image.

Augustus of Primaporta

by Julia Fischer

Ara Pacis grid — Augustus is said to have found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble—this altar symbolizes his golden age.

Ara Pacis Augustae

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater, or Amphitheatrum Flavium), c. 70-80 C.E., Rome — Gladiators, animal hunts, and executions: learn about the Colosseum, a monumental gift to the Roman people.

The Colosseum

by Dr. Bernard Frischer and Dr. Steven Zucker

Rebellion was not uncommon at the fringes of the Roman Empire, and the people of Judea were no exception.

Silver shekel of the Second Jewish Revolt

by The British Museum

In ancient Rome, official portraits were full of political messages. What does Vespasian’s portrait say about him?

Portrait of Vespasian

by The British Museum

Preparations for a Sacrifice, fragment from an architectural relief, c. mid-first century C.E., marble, 172 x 211 cm / 67¾ x 83⅛ inches (Musée du Louvre, Paris) — Animal sacrifice played an important role in ancient Roman religion, but what was involved in the preparation?

Preparations for a Sacrifice

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Portrait Bust of a Flavian Woman (Fonseca Bust), from Rome, c. 100 C.E., marble, 63 cm (Capitoline Museums) — Is this delicate female portrait what we think? Take part in a discussion of a masterpiece we know little about.

Portrait Bust of a Flavian Woman (Fonseca ...

by Dr. Elizabeth Marlowe, Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

The art of gem carving — Watch a modern artist engrave a precious gemstone using the techniques of the ancients.

The art of gem carving

by The J. Paul Getty Museum

Relief panel with The Spoils of Jerusalem Being Brought into Rome, Arch of Titus, Rome, after 81 C.E., marble, 7'10" high — The emperor Titus sacked the temple in Jerusalem and looted its most holy treasures.

The Spoils of Jerusalem, Arch of Titus

by Dr. Steven Fine and Dr. Beth Harris

Apollodorus of Damascus, The Markets of Trajan, 112 C.E. the Militia Tower is visible in the center, rising above the markets (photo: Vašek Vinklát, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) — Trajan tasked his architect with moving an entire hill to make room for this extravagant public space.

The Forum and Markets of Trajan

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Arch of Titus, Rome, after 81 C.E. — At the end of a Roman triumph, the defeated general was murdered. The victim was marched under this triumphal arch.

The Arch of Titus

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Dioskourides, Gemma Augustea, 9 - 12 C.E., 19 x 23 cm, double-layered sardonyx with gold, gold-plated silver (Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna) — Even the smallest carvings, seen only by a select few, could carry a strong political message.

Gemma Augustea

by Julia Fischer