6. Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli

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Del curso dictado por University of Arizona

Roman Art and Archaeology

282 calificaciones

University of Arizona

Roman Art and Archaeology

282 calificaciones

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the culture of ancient Rome beginning about 1000 BCE and ending with the so-called "Fall of Rome". We will look at some of the key people who played a role in Rome, from the time of the kings through the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. We will also focus on the city of Rome itself, as well as Rome's expansion through Italy, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

De la lección

Rome at its Zenith (2nd century CE)

Rome is said to have reached its zenith in security and expansion during the period of the "Five Good Emperors" (96 to 180 CE.). The time of Trajan (98 to 117 CE.) was a particular epoch of conquest and building, highlighted by the construction of Trajan's Markets and enormous Forum, the ruins of which still dominate the center of Rome. Trajan's successor, Hadrian, was a horse of a different color. He was himself an architect obsessed with circles, squares, spheres, and cubes. And his fondness for Greek art bordered on manic.

2. The Imperial Roman Forum1:45

3. Trajan's Forum5:59

5. The Pantheon2:03

6. Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli3:42

Conoce a los instructores

David Soren
Regents Professor of Classics and Anthropology
Classics and Anthropology

Hadrian enjoyed doing architectural experimentation,

especially at his Villa in Tivoli, southeast of Rome.

Built on a massive terrace, it provided a spacious opportunity for

Hadrian to suggest his own wild interpretations

of the many places in the world he had travelled to.

We still don't know the correct names of all of the architectural

fantasies that he built there.

But his style is quite clear.

He loved to combine Greek architectural forums

with daring experiments in Roman vaulting.

He had a particular fondness for segmented domes.

It looked like they were quite similar to the sides of a pumpkin, but

which were thought at the time to be squash-like.

One section of the Villa, the so-called Stoa of Poikile or

painted Stoa of Athens, is a good example of one of Hadrian's ideas.

It consisted of a long, porticoed promenade area, which was just perfect for

an after-dinner stroll.

Dinner was held in a beautiful hall with three apses around it,

with the front side opening out onto a fountain.

And then the walkway came.

There was a long pool in the center, which might be stocked with ducks,

or other water fowl, and fish for the delight of dinner guests.

In the Hadrianic tradition, the carving was all careful, precise, and shallow,

and highly polished on gleaming white marble Another section of the Villa

was the Piazza d'Oro, or the golden piazza as it's called

which allowed Hadrian full rein to explore his fascination for the gourd vault.

Hadrian had inherited Trajan's architect, Apollodorus of Damascus who seems

to become so frustrated with Hadrian's meddling in one of his imperial projects,

that he actually told the Emperor off saying quote old goat draw your gourds.

By the way that's the last we ever hear of Apollodorus.

It's true that Hadrian made some errors in his Villa.

Placing vaults on top of flimsy columns

in a manner that is sure they would never last.

But his baroque experiments with walls that pushed out and pulled back in,

that rippled with curves and broke up the flat surfaces of the buildings.

These lay in ruin for centuries, and architects such as Francesco Borromini in

the 17th century could come there for inspiration which led to some

of his remarkable Baroque churches such as San Carlo at the Four Fountains in Rome.

A wonderful example of Roman Baroque architecture re-experienced as

a 17th century church.

In architecture Hadrian loved to use Greek Architectural

parts just as he did in the Pantheon.

But he went to combine them with bold architectural experimentation.

Placing segmented vaulted domes on top of post and

lintel architecture, was a common Hadrianic practice.

He must have been like a child playing with toys as he designed and

erected his fantastic complexes, and since the area was never overbuilt,

a tourist can visit today and experience much of the Emperor's joy also.

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