01 Class: Introduction to Constantine’s Rome

Our visions of Rome now include

Modern city

Ancient

Christian

Our story: from here

Arch of Constantine

To here:

St Peters

Some main themes

1. Rome as a center in world history
2. Rome as the center of the Latin church
3. Rome as a political player in central Italy and beyond
4. Rome as center of monumental buildings and art
5. The development of urban spaces

Sources: primary and secondary

Written

material

• History of art and architecture
• Archaeology

Italo Gismondi (1887-1974)

1935-71 worked  Plastico: Museo della Civiltà Romana

Rome Reborn: Bernard Frischer

Yorescape: Bernard Frischer

Background: up to age of Constantine

Traditional founding April 21, 753 BCE

Kings: to 510 BCE

Republic: Consuls; senate

Princeps and principate: Octavian (27 BCE-14 CE)

Expansion: continues through 2^nd c CE

3^rd Century: general economic, social crisis

Diocletian (284-305): reforms

4 administrative units, 2 co-emperors

Constantine  (306-337)

Reforms continue

313 recognizes Christianity (Edict of Milan)

324 decision to rebuild Byzantium as capitol; dedicated 330

Milan as western capital

401-2: Ravenna as western capital

The City:

270-75 Aurelian walls

Population estimates:800,000-1,000,000+

Trajan’s Market

Trajan’s market; main hall, 2007

Gismondi: Insula, Ostia

Yorescape.com