The subject of this research is a ceiling painting in a corridor of 27 meter long in the Domus Augustana on the Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy. The style of the ceiling painting is linear decoration,...Show moreThe subject of this research is a ceiling painting in a corridor of 27 meter long in the Domus Augustana on the Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy. The style of the ceiling painting is linear decoration, based on its geometrical design, colour scale, while missing the architectural elements visible in other styles. The painting has been dated to the Post Severan period (235-285 AD). This type of style is often found in minor rooms of a building. Unfortunately little research has been done on ceiling painting of the 2nd and 3rd centuries and no similar painting has been found. The walls of the corridor are decorated with marble slabs of type 1 decoration style often found in minor rooms. The date of the marble decoration is the reign of Hadrian. While the walls itself are constructed in different phases, mainly in the reign of Nero and early Flavian period. Out of the space syntax analyses with JASS and Depth Map could also be concluded that the corridor is a minor room in the Domus Augustana. The corridor gave access to a group of rooms which have a secluded character, which were probably used for small banquets and other meetings.Show less
Several scholars argue that the ‘order’ of the Vestal virgins (the Vestales) can be compared to the class of matronae, because they are presumed to wear the same clothing and their social role is...Show moreSeveral scholars argue that the ‘order’ of the Vestal virgins (the Vestales) can be compared to the class of matronae, because they are presumed to wear the same clothing and their social role is similar. In this study, the comparison between the two groups is critically examined and the exact differences and similarities are discussed. Investigating second and early third-century Vestal statues from the Atrium Vestae in the Roman Forum, comparing them to statues of matronae from the same periods but different contexts, I demonstrate that the Vestales have been perceived by the Romans as a separate group, clearly distinguishable from matronae. Differences in details such as hairstyle, standing position, facial expression, and the interaction with the viewer show that Vestales and matronae are not the same. Some Vestales are more matrona-like than others, and the expected characteristics of matronae perhaps need to be redefined. Furthermore, the four points of comparison in which the two classes of women differ are precisely those that can be used for display of self-representation. Thus, matronae are proven to be more concerned with this than Vestales. Moreover, it is argued that the scholars that made the comparison between the two female groups have been subjected to gender influence. In conclusion, the comparison an sich is perhaps less useful with respect to the fact that Vestales need to be examined in relation to their religious group, whereas matronae should be regarded as part of a secular social context.Show less
Research into the perception of monumentality in the Roman Empire has so far only concentrated on the monuments itself. The aim of this thesis is to show the necessity to shift the focus from the...Show moreResearch into the perception of monumentality in the Roman Empire has so far only concentrated on the monuments itself. The aim of this thesis is to show the necessity to shift the focus from the actual monument to its surroundings. Phenomenological research methods have been introduced in archaeology over the last couple of decades to analyse experience, but due to their imbeddedness in the post-processual theoretical framework they concentrate on the personal experience rather than on the common perception. However, other spatial analyses like those introduced by Space Syntax provide the necessary methods to analyse the general perception of space, but these analyses require detailed knowledge of the ancient urban environment which are often not preserved in the archaeological record. Therefore, other techniques have to be used to complement these analyses, like the concept of ‘armature’. In this way it seems possible to analyse the general perception of a monument based on an analysis of its relation with the surroundings.Show less
