The aim of this contribution is to question the representation of “emotions” in the effigies of Roman emperors that constitute an important medium of their self-promotion. The starting point of the ...study consists of several passages of ancient authors touching on the reflection of character (ethē, sensus) and of feelings/passions (pathē, perturbationes) in the figurative arts. The following paragraphs contain an insight in the ancient lectures of the physiognomy of emperors, real or depicted, and a critical review of their modern interpretations. These allow us to reevaluate the possible presence of adfectus in the portraits of emperors that are presented chronologically, and the way they are expressed visually, particularly in the case of Caracalla where emotivity seems particularly important.
Lo scopo di questo contributo è quello di indagare la rappresentazione delle “emozioni” nelle effigi degli imperatori romani come un mezzo importante della loro autopromozione. Il punto di partenza dello studio consiste nei pochi passaggi degli autori antichi che affrontano il riflesso del carattere (ethē, sensus) e dei sentimenti/passioni (pathē, perturbationes) nelle arti figurative. Seguono una panoramica delle letture antiche delle fisionomie degli imperatori, reali o raffigurate, e una rassegna critica delle loro interpretazioni moderne. Queste consentono di rivalutare la possibile presenza degli adfectus nei ritratti degli imperatori, i quali sono presentati cronologicamente, e il modo in cui sono espressi visivamente, soprattutto nel caso di Caracalla, dove l’emotività sembra particolarmente importante.
Le but de la contribution est de s’interroger sur la représentation des «émotions» dans les effigies des empereurs romains qui constitue un moyen important de leur autopromotion. Le point de départ de l’étude repose sur quelques passages chez les auteurs antiques abordant le reflet du caractère (ethē, sensus) et des sentiments/passions (pathē, perturbationes) dans les arts figurés. Suivent un aperçu sur les lectures antiques des physionomies des empereurs, réelles ou représentées et une revue critique de leurs interprétations modernes. Celles-ci permettent, par la suite, de réévaluer une possible présence des adfectus dans les portraits des empereurs, qui sont présentés de manière chronologique, et montrer la manière de les exprimer visuellement, et ce notamment dans le cas de Caracalla où l’émotivité paraît particulièrement importante.
Papini Massimiliano,Kaderka Karolina. Sensus e Perturbationes nei ritratti degli imperatori. In: Dialogues d'histoire ancienne, vol. 48, n°1, 2022. pp. 71-100.
The aim of the article is an attempt to present a dichotomic image of the Roman ruler. It is concentrated on traditional features, understood as postulated in relation to person in power, such as ...justice, honesty, modesty and self-control. All of them belong to the canon of virtutes Romanae, and obedience toward them was characteristic of Roman society until the fall of Carthage. Along with its fall, the disappearance of true morality can be observed. The important turning point there is the reign of Augustus who, by undertaking the revival of old values, introduces a new order to the state. The article describes the rulers of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and the emphasis is placed on a dualistic image of their behaviour (positive versus negative) presented in ancient texts by Tacitus, Suetonius, Velleius Paterculus and Florus.
When Augustus died, the imperial cults were wide spread all over the Mediterranean. Considering that point, it is important to recall how the divine and divinizing words were produced to the ...princpeps and the imperial family, and, if these words can be seen as a sincere expression of divinity (even in life) or just a mere adulation form. This is an interpretative study of some Greek and Latin inscriptions, that seeks to establish various elements that make some differences and bring new suggestions to the concept of imperial cults because this religious manifestation was not the only one form of cult with continuations and additions. In fact, it had some marked differences that the evidences could demonstrate with the other ruler-cult forms. The importance of words is unique: they can show literally and figurative the expressions of one person and some individuals. In this point it is important to note that inscriptions can even be exaggerating individuals’ rhetoric and it cannot be forgotten the language-game as Wittgenstein pointed out. Furthermore, the geographical locations and the cultural manifestations are important to note because depending the place, usually it can be found more or less powerful words to the imperial cult. Using the religious and political epigraphical monuments and the literature of the period some ideas can be tracked about the titulature of the imperial cult and the problems that still arise. Keywords: Imperial Cults, Divinity of Roman Emperors, Greek Inscriptions, Latin Inscriptions, Interpretations.
This paper aims to analyze the evolution of the proviso on the sale of slaves known as ne prostituatur, focusing on the progressive protection that the imperial constitutions, since the 2nd century ...AD onwards, provided for its enforcement. Theories that explain this process invoking the favor libertatis doctrine or through a particular reading of sexual honor are not entirely satisfactory. Therefore, I defend an interpretation of the clause in terms of reward. The emperors would seek to strengthen its validity within a global strategy of securing the punishment and reward model that allowed for the control of slaves, protecting the masters’ general interest, even if it implied limiting their individual power.
Il s’ agit d’ étudier la clausule ne prostituatur présente dans les actes de vente d’ esclaves que les constitutions impériales, à partir du IIe siècle de notre ère, cherchent à encadrer. Considérant que les théories qui rattachent ce processus à la favor libertatis ou à une lecture particulière de l’ honneur sexuel sont insuffisantes, l’ auteur défend l’ hypothèse d’ une interprétation de la clausule en termes de récompense. Ainsi, les empereurs chercheraient à consolider sa validité au sein d’ une stratégie globale de sécurisation du modèle des peines et des récompenses qui régit le contrôle des esclaves en protégeant l’ intérêt général et celui des maîtres tout en limitant leur pouvoir individuel.
Se busca analizar la evolución de la cláusula de venta de esclavos conocida como ne prostituatur, centrándose en la progresiva protección que las constituciones imperiales desarrollan sobre estos pactos a partir del siglo ii. Considerando insuficientes las teorías que vinculan este proceso a la doctrina del favor libertatis o a una particular lectura del honor sexual, se opta por una interpretación de la cláusula en clave de recompensa. Así, los emperadores buscarían apuntalar su validez dentro de una estrategia global de asegurar el modelo de castigos y recompensas que aseguraba el control de los esclavos, protegiendo el interés general de los amos aun a costa de limitar su poder individual.
Rodríguez Garrido Jacobo. Ne serva prostituatur. Esclavitud, prostitución y los límites de la dominica potestas en la Roma Antigua. In: Dialogues d'histoire ancienne, vol. 46, n°1, 2020. pp. 173-196.
Standard narratives of the overthrow of the emperor Elagabalus in 222 tend to see the event as an anomaly, caused especially by his aggressive and unpopular promotion of the Syrian god Elagabal. This ...view is not properly supported by the literary sources, and we should instead see the events of 222 in the context of a repeated pattern in the early third century whereby unstable coalitions drawn from various political constituencies ruled through young figurehead emperors. The article consists of an in-depth analysis of each of the main literary traditions (Dio, HA, Herodian) followed by an alternative reconstruction of the last part of Elagabalus’ reign.
The volume Gaining and Losing Imperial Favour in Late Antiquity studies fundamental dynamics of the political culture of the Later Roman Empire (4th and 5th centuries A.D.) by examining how people ...rose in and fell from the emperor's favour.
Mark 10.42-45 presents a political contrast between the rulers of the Roman world and Jesus and his disciples. Through careful analysis of the strategy of recusatio as employed by Roman emperors, ...this article considers the expectations of the Romans regarding their rulers as well as the political ideology that birthed those expectations. The article then seeks to offer a new reading of Mk 10.42-45 in light of this Roman political ideology and to consider how this reading (a) eases perceived tension in the Gospel’s narrative and Christology, and (b) contributes to the Gospel’s subversion of Roman imperial power.
A group of 18 cameos dated from the 16th to 19th centuries (bearing motifs of Roman emperors and female members of their families) from the Constantine Schmidt‐Ciążyński collection was investigated ...with gemmological analyses, supported by non‐destructive mineralogical methods such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and micro‐Raman spectroscopy (RS) to ascertain the material used. Although there is no scientific method to date the specimens precisely, the mineralogical data supported by archaeological analyses enabled the estimation of the possible timing of the manufacture of the gems. As a result, the cameos were divided into four basic chronological groups: (1) Renaissance, (2) Baroque, (3) uncertain and (4) Classical and Neoclassical.
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