Ancient Civilizations: Roman, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca Art & Architecture
1. Roman Art and Architecture
Architecture
Romanesque architecture focused on building enduring temples of great size, resistant to destruction.
Architectural Orders
Architectural orders are systems that imbue buildings with specific characteristics associated with a particular style and historical period.
Composite Order
The Composite order, not among the Greek orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian), is a Roman contribution to the classical orders, originating in Tuscany.
Tuscan Order
The Tuscan order, an Etruscan contribution, is a simplified Doric order used before the conquest of Greece and later adopted by the Romans.
Groin Vault
A groin vault is formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles, creating elliptical edges that meet at the apex.
Temples
Roman temples blended Etruscan and Greek traditions. Priests administered the temple and its associated rites.
Civil Architecture
Public buildings like basilicas and baths were often located around the forum.
Buildings for Recreation
Arenas and amphitheaters hosted gladiatorial combats and animal fights. The earliest known amphitheater dates back to 80 BC in Pompeii, but the most famous is the Colosseum in Rome. Circuses were used for horse racing.
Engineering Works
Roman engineering included harbors, lighthouses, roads, aqueducts, and other public works demonstrating advanced techniques and knowledge.
Memorial Works
Triumphal arches, like the Arch of Titus, commemorated military victories with narrative reliefs.
Sculpture
Roman sculpture primarily adorned capitals and facades. Figures were often adapted to fit the available space, resulting in folded, twisted, or elongated forms.
Painting
Roman painting lacked perspective and maintained the anti-naturalist style of earlier periods. Buildings were often polychromatic, with paint primarily used for interior decoration.
Mosaics
Mosaics, one of the oldest decorative elements, were widely used in Roman architecture.
2. Pre-Columbian Cultures: The Maya
The Mayan civilization flourished in the southern Yucatan, parts of Guatemala, and Honduras between the 3rd and 15th centuries. Organized into independent city-states, they controlled varying territories and spoke different languages.
Architecture
Mayan architecture shared characteristics with other American cultures but had unique features like the false arch, vaulted crests, stelae, and altars.
Sculpture
The Maya were master sculptors, primarily using limestone.
Painting
Mayan paintings are considered among the finest pre-Hispanic examples, showcasing aesthetic qualities, advanced techniques, and insights into Mayan culture.
Ceramics
Mayan ceramics served both utilitarian and ornamental purposes, with geometric figures common between 1500 BC and 150 AD.
Attire
Men wore loincloths and animal skin sandals. Women wore the “kub,” a decorated piece of fabric. Heavy earrings and elaborate headdresses were also worn.
3. The Aztecs
The Aztecs, a prominent civilization in Central America, settled in the Anuhac plateau during the 13th century, establishing city-states like Tenochtitlan (the capital), Colhuacan, Texcoco, Azcapotzalco, Cholula, and Ilacopán.
Architecture
Aztec architecture, primarily religious, served the worship of their numerous gods.
Sculpture
Aztec sculpture is characterized as vigorous, terrifying, and realistically aggressive, intended to inspire fear.
Painting
Aztec painting employed various inks for vivid colors, depicting gods, notable figures, animals, plants, and real-life events.
4. The Incas
The Incas, prominent in the Andes region, held a vast territory stretching from central Colombia to central Chile.
Architecture
Inca architecture prioritized utilitarian buildings over temples to maintain control over their large territory and population.
Sculpture
Inca stone sculpture is rare, but they created realistic zoomorphic and anthropomorphic clay figures.
Ceramics
Inca ceramics included utilitarian three-legged pots for warriors, sturdy red domestic pots, and large Arribal amphorae with two side handles.
Attire
Women wore similar dresses, with the queen’s attire being more elaborate. Men wore ornamented wool garments.