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Writing materials from the Roman empire.

Roman Writing Materials

Writing materials from the Roman empire.

This illustration shows a famous Roman statue in front of some Roman architecture.

Rome Personified

This illustration shows a famous Roman statue in front of some Roman architecture.

Palazzo Farnese is a prominent High Renaissance palace in Rome, which currently houses the French Embassy in Italy. "The pupils of Bramante and other renowned architects pursued the path which he had marked out; as, for example, Balthazar Peruzzi (1481 to 1536) as the principle of his works may be mentioned the Farnesia at Rome; Ant. di Sangallo of Florence (died 1546), whose principle work is the Farnese Palace at Rome. The third story of this palace is, however, the work of Michel-Angelo. The Farnese Palace forms to a certain extent the type of distinct class in the architecture of Roman palaces, and its chief characteristic is, that the façades are not divided by any orders of columns or pilasters, but the same effect and impression are produced by the architraves, cornices, and plinths of the windows, which invariably have rectilineal terminations, as well as the doors, and also by the string-courses which divide the storeys, and by a far-projecting cornice: at the same time especial consideration is devoted to the effect of good proportions. Ornaments are by sparingly introduced; whilst, on the other hand, the corners are generally marked by rustications. These palaces convey the impression of solidity without cumbersomeness, or richness without luxury, and above all, of simplicity in conjunction with dignity."

Farnese Palace at Rome

Palazzo Farnese is a prominent High Renaissance palace in Rome, which currently houses the French Embassy…

The Villa Farnese, also known as Palazzo Farnese or Villa Caprarola, is a mansion in the town of Caprarola in the province of Viterbo, Northern Lazio, Italy, approximately 50 kilometres (35 miles) north-west of Rome. The Villa Farnese is a massive Renaissance construction begun in the early 1520s by Antonio da Sangallo, opening to the Monte Cimini, a range of densely wooded volcanic hills. It has a five-sided plant, and is built in reddish gold stone; buttresses support the piano nobile above, with two floors above again housing an almost complete two-story villa in itself. As a centerpiece of the vast Farnese holdings, it has always been more than a villa in the ordinary agricultural or pleasure senses. "Another school, which displays a still stricter imitation of classical forms than that of which Bramante was the founder, was represented and advocated by Giacomo Barozzio, who is known under the name of Vignola (1507- 1573). This architect, by his works and his great influence on his contemporaries and successors, and the effect of his example is, like Palladio's, to be traced not only in the architectural bias of his own times, but also in the course of history of the eighteenth century. This result was principally brought about by means of his book on the five columnar orders of antiquity, and this treatise has been regarded as an authority down to the latest times. His most noteworthy construction is the Castle of Caprarola, between Rome and Viterbo."

Farnese Palace at Rome

The Villa Farnese, also known as Palazzo Farnese or Villa Caprarola, is a mansion in the town of Caprarola…

"The most remarkable productions of Bramante at Rome are the Cancelleria Palace, with the Church of San Lorenzo in Damaso contained within its precincts, the Giraud Palace, now the Torlonia, and the Court of the Vatican, with the celebrated Loggie, decorated by Raphael." The Giraud Palace, known today as the Palazzo Castellesi Giraud Torlonia, was built in the 16th century for Cardinal Adriano Cestellesi. The palace was later owned by Giraud and finally by Torlonia.

Giraud Palace at Rome

"The most remarkable productions of Bramante at Rome are the Cancelleria Palace, with the Church of…

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his example necessarily entailed imitation and produced effects on subsequent times. When his deviations were moderate, they were considered by his imitators merely as marks of the originality of his wonderful talent, and by this means proved stepping-stones to the degeneration which marked the ensuing period of the Roccoco style. Amongst his architectural works, the design of the Capitol at Rome, with its wings, may be considered as the most pleasing, whilst as a testimony to his lofty genius the mighty and glorious dome of St. Peter's at Rome, which has no rival in the world, must be adducted as a striking instance."

Modern Capital at Rome

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his…

"The pupils of Bramante and other renowned architects pursued the path which he had marked out; as, for example, Balthazar Peruzzi (1481 to 1536) as the principle of his works may be mentioned the Farnesia at Rome;"

Small Palace at Rome by Balthazar Peruzzi

"The pupils of Bramante and other renowned architects pursued the path which he had marked out; as,…

"Besides the walls and ceilings of the interior, the façades were frequently decorated with sculptured figures, and the flat spaces between the windows and mouldings underwent ornamentation. This took place either by a manner of painting called sgraffito, in which the undercoating was black, with a thin surface-coating of white laid over it, and then the design or shading was engraved or scraped away down to the black grounding; or similar designs were executed in base-relief, as is shown" The Palazzo Spada is a palace in Rome that houses a grand art collection, the Galleria Spada. The collection was originally assembled by Cardinal Bernardino Spada in the 17th century and added to by his grand-nephew Cardinal Fabrizio Spada (1643-1717), and by Virginio Spada (1596-1662).

Part of the Façade of the Spada Palace in Rome

"Besides the walls and ceilings of the interior, the façades were frequently decorated with sculptured…

"The decoration of the interiors of the buildings of the Renaissance is also copied from ancient Roman architecture. The rooms are either vaulted or have flat ceilings, but in both cases are adorned with paintings after the manner of those discovered in the Baths of Titus, or by panel-work, that is, sunken coffers with a regularly distributed enrichment [shown here]. These panels are themselves often adorned with historical or allegorical paintings, or with arabesques. Ornamented panels were employed in large palaces for horizontal ceilings, as also in churches, though in the latter case they were more often applied to cupola vaulting, as notable in St. Peter's."

Interior View of St. Peter's at Rome

"The decoration of the interiors of the buildings of the Renaissance is also copied from ancient Roman…

The pantheon at Rome is a temple that was built to all the gods of Ancient Rome. It was built by Marcus Agrippa Roman statesman, general, and son-in-law to Emperor Caesar Augustus. The structure has a circular body with columns and a dome that covers the ceiling.

The Pantheon at Rome

The pantheon at Rome is a temple that was built to all the gods of Ancient Rome. It was built by Marcus…

"Constructed by Aurelian and rebuilt by Honorius. The material is concrete faced with brick; thickness, 13 feet; greatest height, 58 feet. This is still the wall of the modern city, although at present no effort is made to keep it in repair."—Webster, 1913

The Wall of Rome

"Constructed by Aurelian and rebuilt by Honorius. The material is concrete faced with brick; thickness,…

St. Peter's and the Vatican, Rome, 1901

St. Peter's and the Vatican

St. Peter's and the Vatican, Rome, 1901

An image of Julius Caesar and his army crossing the Rubicon River, which is located in northeastern Italy. The idiom "Crossing the Rubicon" refers to Julius Caesar passing this river in 49 BC, and means to pass a point of no return.

Caesar Crossing the Rubicon

An image of Julius Caesar and his army crossing the Rubicon River, which is located in northeastern…

"Interior of S. Clemente in Rome." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

S. Clemente

"Interior of S. Clemente in Rome." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

"S. Francesca Romana from the Palatine." — Young, 1901

S. Francesca Romana

"S. Francesca Romana from the Palatine." — Young, 1901

S. Paolo, a cloister example, is found in Rome, Italy.

S. Paolo

S. Paolo, a cloister example, is found in Rome, Italy.

"Interior of the Basilica of San Paolo, Rome." —D'Anvers, 1895

Basilica of San Paolo

"Interior of the Basilica of San Paolo, Rome." —D'Anvers, 1895

Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy.

"Sarcophagus, plural Sarcophagi, is a kind of stone used among the Greeks for making coffins, and so called because it was believed to have the property of consuming the flesh of dead bodies deposited in it within a few weeks. Hence a coffin or tomb of stone; a kind of stone chest used for containing a dead body. In modern times stone coffins are occasionally used for royal or distinguished persons."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Sarcophagus of Scipio

"Sarcophagus, plural Sarcophagi, is a kind of stone used among the Greeks for making coffins, and so…

Sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, an elected Roman consul in 298 BC.

Sarcophagus of Scipio Barbatus

Sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, an elected Roman consul in 298 BC.

"Temple of Saturn, Tabularium and Tower of Capitol." — Young, 1901

Temple of Saturn

"Temple of Saturn, Tabularium and Tower of Capitol." — Young, 1901

Scipio, from King's "Engraved Gems."

Scipio

Scipio, from King's "Engraved Gems."

"The figure in the middle of the following illustration is from a most ancient specimen of Etruscan sculpture, and represents an augur with his <em>lituus</em>, or staff. The others are Roman denarii." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Sculpture and coins

"The figure in the middle of the following illustration is from a most ancient specimen of Etruscan…

A Roman scutum shield.

Roman scutum

A Roman scutum shield.

This painting by Claude Gelle Le Lorrain happens to be one of the oldest etchings in oil. This painting is also know as 'The Ancient Port of Messina'.

Seaport

This painting by Claude Gelle Le Lorrain happens to be one of the oldest etchings in oil. This painting…

A coin of ancient Rome, the sesterce.

Sesterce

A coin of ancient Rome, the sesterce.

"Arch of Severus, Column of Phocas, and S. Martina." &mdash; Young, 1901

Arch of Severus

"Arch of Severus, Column of Phocas, and S. Martina." — Young, 1901

"The representation shows the arrangement of the tiers or oars in a two-banked ship. In just what way the lines of rowers in triremes and quinqueremes were arranged is unknown."—Myers, 1904

Prow of a Roman War Ship

"The representation shows the arrangement of the tiers or oars in a two-banked ship. In just what way…

Roman Shipbuilder at work with tool.

Roman Shipbuilder

Roman Shipbuilder at work with tool.

Various standards of military units of Rome in the Gallic War.

Signa Militaria

Various standards of military units of Rome in the Gallic War.

"Walls of Signia. The colony of Signia was said to have been founded by the last Tarquin; but its possession was lost in the early years of the republic." -Allen, 1890

Walls of Signia

"Walls of Signia. The colony of Signia was said to have been founded by the last Tarquin; but its possession…

"Arms of Sixtus IV. and Julius II. (Della Rovere)" &mdash; Young, 1901

Sixtus IV

"Arms of Sixtus IV. and Julius II. (Della Rovere)" — Young, 1901

"Arms of Sixtus V (Peretti)." &mdash; Young, 1901

Sixtus V

"Arms of Sixtus V (Peretti)." — Young, 1901

"A Skyline from the Sette Salle." &mdash; Young, 1901

Roman skyline

"A Skyline from the Sette Salle." — Young, 1901

"A runaway slave, if recaptured, was sometimes compelled to wear a metal collar riveted about his neck."&mdash;Webster, 1913

A Slave's Collar

"A runaway slave, if recaptured, was sometimes compelled to wear a metal collar riveted about his neck."—Webster,…

A soldier using a sling to cast stones as weapons, known as a funditor.

Slinger

A soldier using a sling to cast stones as weapons, known as a funditor.

A Roman soldier

Soldier

A Roman soldier

A Roman soldier

Soldier

A Roman soldier

A Roman soldier

Soldier

A Roman soldier

The armor worn by ancient Roman emperors and generals.

Roman soldier

The armor worn by ancient Roman emperors and generals.

A Roman soldier.

Roman soldier

A Roman soldier.

A Roman soldier with a shield and spear.

Roman Soldier

A Roman soldier with a shield and spear.

Soldiers standing at a gate

Soldiers

Soldiers standing at a gate

The Roman square panels is an 1879 bas-relief design found near the Tiber river in Rome, Italy. This panel is divided into eight equal spaces that are decorated with a repeated design.

Roman Square Panel

The Roman square panels is an 1879 bas-relief design found near the Tiber river in Rome, Italy. This…

"Interior of St. Clemente in Rome." &mdash; Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Interior of St Clemente

"Interior of St. Clemente in Rome." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

"Statue of St Peter in the Bascilica." — Young, 1901

Statue of St Peter

"Statue of St Peter in the Bascilica." — Young, 1901

"Section of Basilica of St. Agnes at Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Agnes Basilica

"Section of Basilica of St. Agnes at Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Interior of St. Clement, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Clement

"Interior of St. Clement, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Section of the Basilica of St. Paul, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Paul Basilica

"Section of the Basilica of St. Paul, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Facade of old St. Peter's, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Peter's

"Facade of old St. Peter's, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

A late Renaissance church located in the Vatican in Rome, Italy. By Catholic Tradition, the Basilica is the burial site of its namesake St. Peter, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and, also according to tradition, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome.

St. Peter's Basilica

A late Renaissance church located in the Vatican in Rome, Italy. By Catholic Tradition, the Basilica…

This is a drawing of the interior of the St. Peter's Basilica located in the Vatican city of Rome, Italy. The interior space of the church was designed by Giovanni Paolo Panini an Italian painter and architect. The interior space is the largest interior of any Christian church in the world.

Interior of St. Peter's Basilica

This is a drawing of the interior of the St. Peter's Basilica located in the Vatican city of Rome, Italy.…

"Section and Interior View of the five-aisled Basilica of S. Pietro at Rome, before its restoration. Large basilicas sometimes have as many as five aisles &mdash; namely, a main-aisle in the middle, and two lower aisles on each side."

Old St. Peter's Basilica

"Section and Interior View of the five-aisled Basilica of S. Pietro at Rome, before its restoration.…

Façade of St. Peter's Basilica, located in Rome. By Catholic Tradition, the Basilica is the burial site of its namesake St. Peter, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and, also according to tradition, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome.

Façade of St. Peter's Basilica

Façade of St. Peter's Basilica, located in Rome. By Catholic Tradition, the Basilica is the burial…

A view of Rome including St. Peter's and the Vatican.

View of St. Peter's

A view of Rome including St. Peter's and the Vatican.

"facade of old St Peter's, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Old Facade of St. Peter's

"facade of old St Peter's, Rome." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

An illustration of the exterior of both the Basilica of Saint Peter and the Vatican. The Basilica of St. Peter is one of four major basilicas of Rome, the others being the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore and St. Paul outside the Walls. It is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City. Its dome is a dominant feature of the skyline of Rome. Probably the largest church in Christianity, it covers an area of 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) and has a capacity of over 60,000 people.

St. Peters and the Vatican

An illustration of the exterior of both the Basilica of Saint Peter and the Vatican. The Basilica of…

A sculpture of the head of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Lucius Felix. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, or simply Sulla, was a Roman general and politician, holding the office of consul twice as well as the dictatorship.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix

A sculpture of the head of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Lucius Felix. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, or simply…

"The relief pictures an ancient Italian sacrifice of a bull, a ram, and a boar, offered to Mars to secure purification from sin. Note the sacred laurel trees, the two altars, and the officiating magistrate, whose head is covered with the toga. He is sprinkling incense from a box held by an attendant. Another attendant carries a ewer with the libation. In the rear is the sacrificer with his ax."&mdash;Webster, 1913

Suovetaurilia

"The relief pictures an ancient Italian sacrifice of a bull, a ram, and a boar, offered to Mars to secure…

The ruins of the temple Aurelian built for Sol Invictus, the sun god.

Temple for Sol Invictus

The ruins of the temple Aurelian built for Sol Invictus, the sun god.