A Corpus of Roman Engraved Gemstones from British Sites

A Corpus of Roman Engraved Gemstones from British Sites
Author: Martin Henig
Publisher: British Archaeological Reports Oxford Limited
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2007
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781407300283

'The primary purpose of an engraved gem or ring-bezel, cut in intaglio, was to make an impression upon some fictile material..., which would be understood by the owner of the device, and by his associates, as a personal signature.' So began Martin Henig's original BAR Number 8 from 1978, in the British Series of British Archaeological Reports, a catalogue and study of over 1000 Roman engraved gemstones from the British Isles. Nearly 30 years later comes the third edition of this study, the new Preface to which concludes: 'Over the years I have thought more about gems in relation to other arts and have integrated glyptics into my book on The Art of Roman Britain (1995). Several papers I have written recently have attempted to use gems, like sculpture, painting and bronzes to elucidate general artistic problems. This should be obvious but how many art-historians seem to have the inclination to take gems seriously? At least interest in provincial glyptics seems greater today and that gives me grounds for hope. Important studies are being conducted across the Empire ranging from Belgium ... and Portugal ..., to Turkey ... and Israel. It is for each new generation to reassess the evidence, in the case of our subject with the aid of new techniques, of computing on the one hand and scientific analysis of materials and cutting techniques on the other. In addition the fresh eye of youth is always invaluable. Someone else can often see what should have been obvious to one all the time. (Wolfson College, Oxford. Feast of St Frideswide, 2005)'

The Jewellery Of Roman Britain

The Jewellery Of Roman Britain
Author: Dr Catherine Johns
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2013-02-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1135851115

This work provides a survey of the jewellery of Roman Britain. Fully illustrated and accessible to both the specialist and amateur enthusiast, it surveys the full range of personal ornament worn in Britain during the Roman period, the 1st to 4th centuries AD. It emphasizes the presence of two distinct cultural and artistic traditions, the classical element introduced by the Romans and the indigeneous Celtic background. The interaction of these traditions affected all aspects of Romano-British life and is illustrated in the jewellery.; The meaning and significance of personal ornament in a wide range of cultures is discussed, including such matters as symbolism and the display of wealth and status. The principal types of Romano-British jewellery are classified in detail, drawing attention to those which can be relatively closely dated. The coverage is not restricted to precious-metal objects, but includes jewellery made of base metals and materials such as bone, jet and glass. The final chapter is devoted to the techniques of manufacture, a subject which has become better understood in recent years as a result of scientific advances. The book should appeal to anyone who practices, teaches or studies Roman archaeology, together with all those with a professional or amateur interest in the history of jewellery and design.

Engraved Gems and Propaganda in the Roman Republic and under Augustus

Engraved Gems and Propaganda in the Roman Republic and under Augustus
Author: Paweł Gołyźniak
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 618
Release: 2020-05-14
Genre: History
ISBN: 1789695406

This book studies small but highly captivating artworks from antiquity – engraved gemstones. These objects had multiple applications, and the images upon them captured snapshots of people's beliefs, ideologies, and everyday occupations. They provide a unique perspective on the propaganda of Roman political leaders, especially Octavian/Augustus.

Representations of Animals on Greek and Roman Engraved Gems

Representations of Animals on Greek and Roman Engraved Gems
Author: Idit Sagiv
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2018-07-13
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1784918709

A comprehensive study of the depictions of animals and their significance on Greek and Roman gems. The work examines the associations between animal depictions and the type of gemstone and its believed qualities. The study also compares the representation of animals on gems to other, larger media, and analyses the differences.

A Companion to Roman Britain

A Companion to Roman Britain
Author: Malcolm Todd
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 0470998857

This major survey of the history and culture of Roman Britain spans the period from the first century BC to the fifth century AD. Major survey of the history and culture of Roman Britain Brings together specialists to provide an overview of recent debates about this period Exceptionally broad coverage, embracing political, economic, cultural and religious life Focuses on changes in Roman Britain from the first century BC to the fifth century AD Includes pioneering studies of the human population and animal resources of the island.

Style and Function in Roman Decoration

Style and Function in Roman Decoration
Author: Ellen Swift
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 311
Release: 2018-04-19
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1351897195

This important book puts forward a new interpretation of Roman decorative art, focusing on the function of decoration in the social context. It examines the three principal areas of social display and conspicuous consumption in the Roman world: social space, entertainment, and dress, and discusses the significance of the decoration of objects and interiors within these contexts, drawing examples from both Rome and its environs, and the Western provinces, from the early Imperial period to Late Antiquity. Focusing on specific examples, including mosaics and other interior décor, silver plate, glass and pottery vessels, and jewellery and other dress accessories, Swift demonstrates the importance of decoration in creating and maintaining social networks and identities and fostering appropriate social behaviour, and its role in perpetuating social convention and social norms. It is argued that our understanding of stylistic change and the relationship between this and the wider social context in the art of the Roman period is greatly enhanced by an initial focus on the particular social relationships fostered by decorated objects and spaces. The book demonstrates that an examination of so-called 'minor art' is fundamental in any understanding of the relationship between art and its social context, and aims to reinvigorate debate on the value of decoration and ornament in the Roman period and beyond.

Small Finds and Ancient Social Practices in the Northwest Provinces of the Roman Empire

Small Finds and Ancient Social Practices in the Northwest Provinces of the Roman Empire
Author: Stefanie Hoss
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2016-07-31
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1785702599

Small finds – the stuff of everyday life – offer archaeologists a fascinating glimpse into the material lives of the ancient Romans. These objects hold great promise for unravelling the ins and outs of daily life, especially for the social groups, activities, and regions for which few written sources exist. Focusing on amulets, brooches, socks, hobnails, figurines, needles, and other “mundane” artefacts, these 12 papers use small finds to reconstruct social lives and practices in the Roman Northwest provinces. Taking social life broadly, the various contributions offer insights into the everyday use of objects to express social identities, Roman religious practices in the provinces, and life in military communities. By integrating small finds from the Northwest provinces with material, iconographic, and textual evidence from the whole Roman empire, contributors seek to demystify Roman magic and Mithraic religion, discover the latest trends in ancient fashion (socks with sandals!), explore Roman interactions with Neolithic monuments, and explain unusual finds in unexpected places. Throughout, the authors strive to maintain a critical awareness of archaeological contexts and site formation processes to offer interpretations of past peoples and behaviors that most likely reflect the lived reality of the Romans. While the range of topics in this volume gives it wide appeal, scholars working with small finds, religion, dress, and life in the Northwest provinces will find it especially of interest. Small Finds and Ancient Social Practices grew out of a session at the 2014 Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference.

Material Approaches to Roman Magic

Material Approaches to Roman Magic
Author: Adam Parker
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2018-04-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1785708848

This second volume in the new TRAC Themes in Roman Archaeology series seeks to push the research agendas of materiality and lived experience further into the study of Roman magic, a field that has, until recently, lacked object-focused analysis. Building on the pioneering studies in Boschung and Bremmer's (2015) Materiality of Magic, the editors of the present volume have collected contributions that showcase the value of richly-detailed, context-specific explorations of the magical practices of the Roman world. By concentrating primarily on the Imperial period and the western provinces, the various contributions demonstrate very clearly the exceptional range of influences and possibilities open to individuals who sought to use magical rituals to affect their lives in these specific contexts – something that would have been largely impossible in earlier periods of antiquity. Contributions are presented from a range of museum professionals, commercial archaeologists, university academics and postgraduate students, making a compelling case for strengthening lines of communication between these related areas of expertise.