Art in the Roman Empire

In this engaging new study, Michael Grant presents some of the most outstanding manifestations of art from all over the enormous territory that made up the empire. Grant, one of the world’s greatest - and most popular - writers of ancient history, has selected items which particularly represent the special achievements and functions of art in the empire. Architecture and portraiture, at which the Romans excelled, are discussed in detail; he examines painting in the empire, exemplified by the rediscovered paintings at Pompeii and Herculaneum; and he surveys some of the most significant examples of mosaic, jewellery and silverware. There is an assessment of Greek, Etruscan and purely Roman elements in the construction and style of the empire’s art. This lucid survey encompasses all regions of the empire, demonstrating how much of its artistic work was actually done outside Rome and Italy. Fully illustrated with detailed captions, Art in the Roman Empire is compelling reading for all those who are interested in the history of the Roman Empire, or in the development of art and architecture.