Day 1 - Romanesque

Today we looked at the beauty of Romanesque art.  Romanesque means Roman-like.  Everything has been influenced by Rome; our art, our democracy, our engineering.  Before them they were inspired by Greek culture which is where it is believed the first Roman's came from, "In the fifth century B.C., a few Greek historians speculated that Aeneas settled at Rome, which was then still a small city-state. In the fourth century B.C., Rome began to expand within the Italian peninsula, and Romans, coming into greater contact with the Greeks, embraced the suggestion that Aeneas had a role in the foundation of their great city." (as referenced from: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rome-founded.)
 

Pula Arena is a Roman Amphitheater in Pula, Croatia.

Rome was inspired by and revered Greek language, culture, religion (especially the Greek heroes and Gods) and the sought to infuse their culture with the wonders of ancient Greece by reflecting Classical and Hellenistic Greek art in their own works of art. Many Roman Emperors commissioned sculptures to be done of themselves to be made to look like Greek heroes or Gods so that their claim on the empire might seem ordained by the Gods. They constructed great buildings that emulated ancient Greece, such as the Pula Arena. Greek culture helped to inform their empire and helped form the Roman identity. (references: http://www.collectiveartisan.com/art-history/roman-art/,https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/prec/www/course/mythology/0100/ancient.htm.)

Here are some examples of Roman art and it's possible Greek influence:

Greek Parthenon

Temple at Pompeii

Greek Hellenistic Period - Athena Vs. Giant

Roman Art - Pompeii - Laocoön