Masterpieces of Antiquity: Sculpture, Monuments, and Roman Architecture

Masterpieces of Classical Sculpture

Myron's Discobolus (The Discus Thrower)

Myron's Discobolus breaks with stiff archaic sculpture, introducing mobility and strain in the limbs and head, capturing a moment of athletic tension.

Polykleitos' Doryphoros (The Spear Bearer)

Polykleitos' Doryphoros established his famous canon, where the measure of the head is one-seventh of the whole body.

Praxiteles' Aphrodite of Knidos

The Aphrodite of Knidos, by Praxiteles, is depicted ready for swimming. Her serene and modest face reflects the aesthetic ideals of classical sculpture.

Ancient Wonders and Roman Engineering

Trajan's Column

The Trajan Column, 43 meters high, commemorates Emperor Trajan's victories against the Dacians (in modern Romania). The scenes, made of marble, are arranged in chronological order, detailing the preparation for the war and the conquest of Dacia.

The Colossus of Rhodes

One of the most famous lighthouses in history was the Colossus of Rhodes, a bronze statue of Helios. Located at the entrance of the port of Rhodes, it held a sort of cup where a fire was lit at night. It was demolished by an earthquake.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was 100 meters high, with a flame burning constantly at the top. It collapsed in 1340.

The Tower of Hercules (A Coruña)

The Tower of Hercules in A Coruña is a prismatic construction. It is one of the few Roman lighthouses that remain and are currently active. It has undergone several restorations.

Roman Amphitheater Structure

The amphitheater was an elliptical building composed of three main parts:

• The Arena: The surface on which the show developed. It was surrounded by a high wall (the podium) that separated it from the cavea.
• The Fossae: The underground constructions used for services, gladiators, and animals.
• The Cavea: The seating area, which was divided from top to bottom into three horizontal zones:
  • The Imma Cavea (for the upper classes).
  • The Media Cavea (for the general public).
  • The Summa Cavea (for the lower social strata).

The Flavian Amphitheater (The Colosseum)

The Colosseum was the largest and most spectacular amphitheater built by the Roman Empire. Construction began under Emperor Vespasian, but it was his son Titus who inaugurated it in 80 AD. The opening ceremony lasted 102 days, offering extensive entertainment. It had a capacity of 80,000 spectators.

Architectural Orders of the Facade

The four-story facade was lined with travertine marble and utilized three Greek architectural orders:

1. First floor: Doric
2. Second floor: Ionic
3. Third floor: Corinthian
4. Fourth floor: Free (Corinthian pilasters)

Classical Artifacts and Philosophy

Pompeii Relief

A Pompeii relief depicting a scene where actors perform with masks. This artifact is currently housed in the Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman Bust of Plato

The Roman bust of Plato. Although Plato's political vocation is unquestioned, the center of his failures came after his hopes for the Academy (his school of instruction) were dashed.