Architecture and Politics in Republican Rome

This book argues that Republican Rome and its component buildings were inextricably intertwined with government, which they perpetuated and challenged.

Penelope J. E. Davies (Author)

9781107476110, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 June 2020

376 pages, 45 b/w illus. 200 colour illus. 18 maps
27.8 x 21.7 x 1.8 cm, 1.06 kg

'Davies provides what amounts to a definitive architectural history of republican Rome (509–44 BCE). Distinguishing this volume from previous treatments is not only Davies's comprehensive approach and skilled integration of historical sources alongside presentation of the monuments, but also her inclusion of state-of-the-art illustrations, among them phase plans, digital reconstructions, and photographs, most reproduced in color. What emerges is a gradually evolving urban fabric for the city, one realized not by overarching designs, but rather by piecemeal agency and accretion, prior to the grand integrative schemes imposed during the imperial period. The temples, public spaces, fortifications, theaters, and other monuments that progressively defined the cityscape of Rome during the four centuries of the Republic not only overlay the fortunes of the metropolis itself but reflect the power struggles of class and men of action, culminating in the civil wars and accompanying Rome's transformation to the Empire.' Choice

Architecture and Politics in Republican Rome is the first book to explore the intersection between Roman Republican building practices and politics (c.509–44 BCE). At the start of the period, architectural commissions were carefully controlled by the political system; by the end, buildings were so widely exploited and so rhetorically powerful that Cassius Dio cited abuse of visual culture among the reasons that propelled Julius Caesar's colleagues to murder him in order to safeguard the Republic. In an engaging and wide-ranging text, Penelope J. E. Davies traces the journey between these two points, as politicians developed strategies to manoeuver within the system's constraints. She also explores the urban development and image of Rome, setting out formal aspects of different types of architecture and technological advances such as the mastery of concrete. Elucidating a rich corpus of buildings that have been poorly understand, Davies demonstrates that Republican architecture was much more than a formal precursor to that of imperial Rome.

Introduction
1. A republic takes shape
2. An age of individualism, c.338–218 BCE
3. A state of fear and new horizons, c.217–133 BCE
4. Turmoil and tension, c.133–90 BCE
5. Civil war and aftermath, c.89–70 BCE
6. Pompey, Caesar, and rivals: c.69–55 BCE
7. Caesar, Pompey, and rivals: c.54–44 BCE
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Architecture [AM], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]