Visualizing Harbours in the Classical World: Iconography and Representation around the Mediterranean

Description

In recent years, there has been intense debate about the reality behind the depiction of maritime cityscapes, especially harbours. Visualizing Harbours in the Classical World argues that the available textual and iconographic evidence supports the argument that these representations have a symbolic, rather than literal, meaning and message, and moreover that the traditional view, that all these media represent the reality of the contemporary cityscapes, is often unrealistic. Bridging the gap between archaeological sciences and the humanities, it ably integrates iconographic materials, epigraphic sources, history and archaeology, along with visual culture. Focusing on three main ancient ports – Alexandria, Rome and Leptis Magna – Federico Ugolini considers a range of issues around harbour iconography, from the triumphal imagery of monumental harbours and the symbolism of harbour images, their identification across the Mediterranean, and their symbolic, ideological and propagandistic messages, to the ways in which aspects of Imperial authority and control over the seas were expressed in the iconography of the Julio-Claudian, Trajan and Severii periods, how they reflected the repute, growth and power of the mercantile class during the Imperial era, and how the use of imagery reflected euergetism and paideia, which would inform the Roman audience about who had power over the sea. Cover Half Title Title Copyrights Content List of Illustrations Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations 1 Introduction Aim and scope Literary review A new study of the iconography of maritime representations A selection of portable and fixed objects with harbour
representations The organization of this monograph 2 Alexandria, Rome, Leptis Magna and the Triumphal
Imagery of Monumental Harbours Introduction Alexandria Portus Leptis Magna Aspects of monumentality in ancient harbours across the
Mediterranean Monumentality as a source of inspiration and a
programmatic model for triumphal imagery Conclusion 3 Harbours in Graeco-Roman Art: Symbolism and Identity
across the Mediterranean Introduction Symbolic message: Case studies of Rome, Puteoli and
Leptis Magna Ideological message: Representations of the imperial
and mercantile classes Propagandistic message: The iconography of the imperial authority Conclusion 4 Portraying Maritime Cityscapes: An Imperial Perspective Introduction Claudius and Nero: Monumental infrastructure Trajan’s Column: Control over the water The Arch of Septimius Severus: Authority Military control over the Mediterranean Sea Conclusion 5 The Mercantile Class: Economic Growth and Influence
during the Imperial Era Introduction Harbour mosaics as evidence of the economy and trade Controlling the sea, sailing the sea: A depiction of a peaceful
Mediterranean Commercial messages behind harbour scenes Conclusion 6 A Postcard from the Ancient Mediterranean: Aspects
of Euergetism and Paideia in Representations of Maritime Cities Introduction Public sphere: Representations of safety and security Private sphere: Representations of abundance and prosperity Sources of inspiration and commission The marine environment and visual media: An instrument for
education in antiquity Conclusion 7 Epilogue: Maritime Cities: An Iconography of Power Conclusions Symbolism vs reality: The message behind the iconography
of the maritime world Notes Bibliography Index