Chapter 19 - Hannah's List



 Medallion Portraits (19-2, 19-3) pp. 279-80 

 These gold coins feature the busts of all four emperors, with 2 on each side. They are dressed similarly and even look very similar in their faces; their beards and square heads are very alike. The only differences are in the lines in the face and the shape of the nose. The primary goal of the coin was to present the 4 tetrarchs, not 4 individuals. It is a portrait of the new form of government, not of the four men who were rulers.

 Athribis Bust (19-4) p. 280-1

 Carved out of porphyry, this purple stone was favored by the tetrarchs because of its color; purple was the color of the high office of Rome. Galerius (if it is him) has a square head, typical of the tetrarchs. As in the portraits of the soldier emperors, the hair is negatively carved on his head and beard, but this time the lines are neatly and evenly drawn. The face is unrealistically symmetrical, and the round and staring eyes give the statue an impersonal and iconic look. All individualization was drained from the portrait.

 Columnar Portraits (19-5, 19-6) p. 281-2

 These depict all four tetrarchs in groups of two, embracing each other. Stocky and straight, these are characterized by Late Antiquity abstraction. The drapery is schematic and the bodies are shapeless. The faces bear no emotions and are only discernible through facial hair. They are all identically dressed, as on the medallions.

 Decennial Five-Column Monument (19-7, 19-8, 19-9) p.282-284

 Depicts two victories displaying a shield that wishes the Caesars a happy 10th anniversary. Trophies and barbarian captives also appear. A sacrifice scene is also depicted. The relief is very shallow and relies more on incised lines.

 Arch of Galerius (19-13, 19-14) p. 286-7

Took the rare form of an octpylon, an arch with eight piers. Its core was a quadrifons, like the Severan arch. It commemorated Galerius’ victory over King Narses of Persia. While it honored his personal triumph, the other tetrarchs were also honored. The Galerian arch mixes battle scenes and ceremonial scenes.