Overview

One of the most important monuments of Imperial Rome and at the same time one of the most poorly understood, the Column of Marcus Aurelius has long stood in the shadow of the Column of Trajan. In The Column of Marcus Aurelius, Martin Beckmann makes a thorough study of the form, content, and meaning of this infrequently studied monument. Beckmann employs a new approach to the column, one that focuses on the process of its creation and construction, to uncover the cultural significance of the column to the Romans of the late second century A.D. Using clues from ancient sources and from the monument itself, this book traces the creative process step by step from the first decision to build the monument through the processes of planning and construction to the final carving of the column's relief decoration. The conclusions challenge many of the widely held assumptions about the value of the column's 700-foot-long frieze as a historical source. By reconstructing the creative process of the column's sculpture, Beckmann opens up numerous new paths of analysis not only to the Column of Marcus Aurelius but also to Roman imperial art and architecture in general.

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9781469668635

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Reviews

[The Column of Marcus Aurelius] is lucid and engaging, and will be of real value to those interested in the Column itself and also in the wider questions of. . . understanding ancient structures.--Times Literary Supplement A valuable adjunct to anyone interested in Roman military operations at the very height of the Empire.--NYMAS Review This book is a strong addition to the study of Roman sculptural monuments. . . . Its writing style is clear and avoids technical jargon. The black-and-white illustrations are excellent and well chosen.--American Journal of Archaeology Very interesting and enlightening as to the Roman military in the late second century A.D.--Lone Star Book Review

Author Information

Martin Beckmann is assistant professor of classics at McMaster University.

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