The Column of Marcus Aurelius: The Genesis and Meaning of a Roman Imperial Monument

by Martin Beckmann

Overview

One of the most important monuments of Imperial Rome and at the same time one of the most poorly understood, the Column of Marcus Aurelius has long stood in the shadow of the Column of Trajan. In The Column of Marcus Aurelius, Martin Beckmann makes a thorough study of the form, content, and meaning of this infrequently studied monument. Beckmann employs a new approach to the column, one that focuses on the process of its creation and construction, to uncover the cultural significance of the column to the Romans of the late second century A.D. Using clues from ancient sources and from the monument itself, this book traces the creative process step by step from the first decision to build the monument through the processes of planning and construction to the final carving of the column's relief decoration. The conclusions challenge many of the widely held assumptions about the value of the column's 700-foot-long frieze as a historical source. By reconstructing the creative process of the column's sculpture, Beckmann opens up numerous new paths of analysis not only to the Column of Marcus Aurelius but to Roman imperial art and architecture in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807877777
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	06/27/2011
Series:	Studies in the History of Greece and Rome
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Martin Beckmann is assistant professor of classics at McMaster University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ix

Introduction 1

1 The Date & Purpose of the Column 19

2 The Dust of Northern Warfare: Choice of Location 37

3 Form & Function 55

4 Planning & Construction 68

5 The Frieze: Concept & Draft 84

6 Carving the Frieze 110

7 The Frieze as History 128

8 The Frieze as Art 156

9 Viewing the Column 187

Epilogue: The Columns of Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, & Arcadius 207

Notes 215

Bibliography 233

Index 243

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This impressively detailed study, the first treatment of the Column of Marcus Aurelius in English, makes an extremely valuable contribution to the historical and artistic contexts of this much neglected Roman monument.” — Hazel Dodge, Trinity College Dublin

“Beckmann’s engaging, enlightening study gives readers a better understanding of the construction of the Column of Marcus Aurelius and illuminates contemporary Roman perceptions of its structure and sculpted decoration.” — Diane Atnally Conlin, University of Colorado

Editorial Reviews

“[The Column of Marcus Aurelius] is lucid and engaging, and will be of real value to those interested in the Column itself and also in the wider questions of. . . understanding ancient structures.” — Times Literary Supplement

“A valuable adjunct to anyone interested in Roman military operations at the very height of the Empire.” — NYMAS Review

“Very interesting and enlightening as to the Roman military in the late second century A.D.” — Lone Star Book Review

“This book is a strong addition to the study of Roman sculptural monuments. . . . Its writing style is clear and avoids technical jargon. The black-and-white illustrations are excellent and well chosen.” — American Journal of Archaeology

From the Publisher