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Republic

Temple of Portunus (formerly known as Fortuna Virilis), travertine, tufa, and stucco, c. 120-80 B.C.E., Rome — This small temple is a rare surviving example from the Roman Republic. It is both innovative and traditional.

Temple of Portunus, Rome

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Even in death, great Roman families were concerned with reinforcing and projecting their status.

Tomb of the Scipios and the sarcophagus ...

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Temple of Jupiter (detail), Relief with Marco Aurelius sacrificing to Jupiter (Pietas Augusti), from the decoration of a triumphal arch, 177-180 C.E. (Capitoline Museums, Rome) — This three-in-one temple to “Jupiter Best and Greatest,” Juno, and Minerva was central in ancient Roman religion.

Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Rome

by Dr. Andrew Findley

Maison Carrée, c. 4-7 C.E. — This well-preserved building in modern-day France is a textbook example of a Vitruvian temple.

Maison Carrée

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Capitoline Wolf, 5th century B.C.E. or medieval, bronze, 75 cm (Capitoline Museums, Rome) — Abandoned as infants, the mythical founders of Rome were raised by a she-wolf.

Capitoline She-wolf

by Dr. Jaclyn Neel

Capitoline Brutus, 4th-3rd century B.C.E. bronze, 69 cm (Capitoline Museums, Rome) — Once identified as the founder of the Roman Republic, debate over this figure’s true identity rages on.

Capitoline Brutus

by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

Veristic male portrait (similar to Head of a Roman Patrician), early 1st Century B.C.E., marble, life size (Vatican Museums, Rome) — With age comes experience, and sculptors in the Roman Republic highlighted seniority—warts and all.

Veristic male portrait

by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker

Wrinkled, toothless, and sagging: why would the Romans emphasize these features in a portrait?

Head of a Roman Patrician

by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker