Roman art

The Roman Empire conquered many places at it's peak, one of which was Greece. Greece seemed to have a big influence over the Romans art, architecture, poetry and more. When comparing the two, they may seem similar at first but there are distinctive things that can help tell the difference.

 The Greeks idealized their figures/portraits, where as the Romans were very realistic.


When it came to architecture, the Romans normally built buildings to honor their emperor whereas the Greeks built temples to honor the gods. The Romans also used corinthian columns and the Greeks built doric and ionic.


(Roman Pantheon)


(The Greek Parthenon)

When it came to sculptures the Romans started out copying the Greeks but slowly developed their own style. The Roman's made their sculptures very realistic, except sculptures of their emperors or military leaders who they created idealized versions of. Roman sculptures also portrayed the maliciousness of cruel dictators or tyrants.

(portrait of politician Gaius Marius)

(bust of Roman republican)

Lastly, Pompeii was once a luxurious city in the outskirts of Rome before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Yet somehow, many of the wall paintings, artifacts and mosaics were preserved from the ash. The Villas in Pompeii would have painted walls to make up for their lack of windows. There was a large variety of what they would paint from landscapes that look like you're looking out a window to imitations of marble. Their ceilings and floors would be covered by intricate mosaics.

(painted wall in Pompeii)

(painted wall in Pompeii)

(mosaic in Pompeii)