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Monuments and the Everyday |
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by shivali / 10.24.2005 |
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| Monumental Architecture vs. the Everyday |
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Assignment |
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The first obvious distinction between monumental architecture like the Colleseum or the Roman Forum and everyday ancient Roman housing like the Case Romane del Celio is the scale. For example, the Basilica of Trajan’s Forum was large not only because it would hold large numbers of people but also to specifically make a person inside feel small in comparison to the grandeur of the open space. High ceilings, marble columns, and gold statues all emphasized the common person’s status within the political space. It reinforced the ideas of Roman might and the Emperor’s power. Any visitor would be well aware of their place not only psychologically, but physically as well. An average Roman’s house was smaller, but perhaps because they would not want to feel insignificant in their everyday living spaces. At home, there would be no need for intimidation. The home had a distinctly different purpose: to provide its owner with comfort. The distinction was clearly drawn between functionality and beauty.
Such grandeur was not only unnecessary, but also financially impossible for the average Roman and the architectural design of their home. The Case Roman del Celio was significantly more modest than Trajan’s Forum. Only walls in important rooms were decorated in marble. When marble was too expensive, the paint on the wall was made to mimic marble. There were certain people in Roman society who had access to the wealth to build monumental architecture and the average Roman was not only of them. Obviously such marble decoration and elaborate paintings were also a part of the average Roman’s concept of beauty for they sought to imitate it.
However, one common feature to both monumental architecture and the every day Roman housing was the reverence of the Gods. Their place within the lives of all Romans, great Emperors and the common man was well-respected. The Roman Forum and Trajan’s Forum included elaborate temples that were constructed to honor the Gods. The paintings on the walls of the Case Roman del Celio depicted the vivid pagan imagery. In addition, during the rise of Christianity, the house contained the remains of John and Paul and drew pilgrims from around the empire. Religion resonated with the Romans and within their architecture regardless of their social status or the function of the building.
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