Post #8 Roman Art

The Roman empire went through a number of leaders throughout its dominance. These leaders often had sculptures or paintings of themselves created so that they would be known and seen by their people, but also as a very potent political tool. Many of these art works are laced with political propaganda that the ruler felt was important to show his people. Two such works are Commodus as Hercules and the portrait head of Caracalla. Though these two sculptures both use propaganda in their art to show themselves as worthy leaders, they each take a very different approach.

Commodus came to rule by default when his father passed away. He was said to have very little political skill, and was seen as a pretty poor ruler. During his reign he made claims of being the reincarnation of Hercules, and in this particular sculpture, he is depicted as so. The way I see this move is one of desperate need of approval. He knows of the fame and history behind Hercules and how it resonates with the people and he tries very hard to associate himself to that. I have a hard time seeing this statement as anything but trying to piggy back the legend of Hercules for popularity. He draws allusions to many of Hercules' accomlishments maybe as a symbol of the great things he has/will do as a leader or because he is Herc reincarnate it is literally the things he has "done". Either way I find it a slightly pathetic attempt to show abilities as a leader and I think it failed with the Roman people too, because Commodus did not last long as such. All that being said, the sculpture is indeed beautiful and very well crafted. The detail in the hair and beard and the life like depiction of Commodus are all very pleasing, its the message that is lacking. In other political proaganda pieces we have looked at, many rulers show themselves associated or interacting with the gods as a way of showing favor and relationship with them. But to claim to be an already legendary hero reborn is just kind of lame.

The portrait of Caracalla has a very different approach to showing himself as a legitimate ruler. This sculpture is only of the head and neck, and I would argue is twice as potent politically as Commodus. Where Commodus fell into leadershing, Caracella wanted to be emperror so bad he killed his own brother to do so.  The expression on his face is one of anger, determination, strength, and is just fierce. He wears his hair tight in the militaristic style, showing he is a military minded leader willing to attack, but ready to defend. There are no allusions to culture, or religion or history, just a glare that makes others think twice about trying to harm Rome. The fact that the piece is constructed of marble plays a role too. The stone cold quality of the look in his eyes, the permenince of his stare, and the calm and fearless feeling the piece gives are all helped by the marble. I think the look on his face was meant to bring comfort, not fear, to his people when they saw it because that is the face of someone you want on your side. When things get bad, that is the guy you want fighting for you. I think that just knowing he was at one time a ruler, that same message is received by the piece today.

I think with all political propaganda, even today, there is a target audience and usually that audience is the people you have political power over. It can be done by showing how great you are to them and for them or by showing how great you are compared to/against outside empires and nations. However, I don't think that the message is lost to other audiences because many of the best techniques for effective propaganda are the same. I still get a sense of their message when I look at these pieces today. Most of propaganda comes from how you depict yourself and what you associate with or condemn. Self depiction is crucial and that is what I think made Caracalla and broke Commodus. In attempt to show that they are the ruler of the Roman empire, one chose to be shown as someone else and the other chose to show himself and no one else.