LKS2 Topic: The Romans in Britain Block G: Roman Army and Busts

Session 2 Understanding the power of the Roman army through 3D art
National Curriculum / History: Understand the importance of Roman busts as historical evidence and their cultural and artistic significance; Understand how knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources; Address and devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference and significance; Construct informed responses that come from the selection of relevant historical information.
Teaching Objectives / To investigate the development of Roman busts from Greek sculptures.
National Curriculum / Art: Understand the historical and cultural development of art forms (3D portraiture); Understand how art and design reflect history; Explore their ideas.
Teaching Objectives / Explore and discuss busts as an art form begun by the Greeks and developed by the Romans, looking particularly at facial expressions.
Resources
Images of Roman and Greek busts; Mirrors. / Weblinks
http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/10806374612 - footage of the Mauri Haka.
Whole class: Look again at the images of Marius. Discuss what he was famous for – reforming the Roman army to make it more powerful, being a fierce and terrifying leader, fighting alongside his men. Explain that the images of Marius are busts. About 200 BCE, the Romans began conquering Greece, and this changed their style of art. One of the most popular types of sculpture in Ancient Rome was the bust. This is a sculpture of just the head. Wealthy Romans would put the busts of their ancestors in the atrium of their homes. This was a way for them to show off their lineage. The Romans admired the Greek culture and arts. After conquering Greece, they brought many Greek artists to Rome to make sculptures for them in the Greek fashion. However, unlike the Greeks, the Romans were not looking for perfection – they wanted something that was more real. Roman art as its own form really begins around 500 BCE with the beginning of the Roman Republic. Roman people were particularly interested in portraiture: in making statues that really looked like one particular person, especially a famous person. Greek people were more interested in ideals: What is the most beautiful man? What is the most athletic man? But the Romans were more interested in reality. A lot of people living in Rome seem to have believed, also, that having a good image of somebody’s face was important because it helped to keep their ghost happy after they died, so they wouldn't come back and haunt you. During the Roman Republic, it was considered a sign of character not to gloss over physical imperfections, and to depict men in particular as rugged and unconcerned with vanity: the portrait was a map of experience. Wrinkles would show wisdom and that the person was wealthy enough to live to a great age.
Whole class activity
In small groups chn look at the images of busts (session resource) and discuss if they think they are Roman or Greek. Why did you think this? What features helped you decide? Take responses from each group – did everyone agree? Look at the image of Marcus Aurelius. Why did he look so fierce? The forcefulness and apparent severity of his expression were meant to emphasise his brute strength and capability as a military leader, underscoring his need to maintain the support of the Roman armies. His reputation as a ruthless Emperor was also fostered by his orchestration of his brother Geta’s murder in AD 212. Marcus Aurelius increased people’s chances of becoming wealthier by promoting army officers on merit and ability, rather than on birth and class. This was another reason poor people would join the army. In partners (or with mirrors), try to make the meanest faces possible. What happens to their eyes? Their mouths? They describe this to partners.
Plenary / Watch a video of the Mauri Haka. Ask chn to focus on the facial expressions. The men make heavy use of foot stamping, body percussion, and grimace in an attempt to appear as menacing as possible. Why is it important for a soldier to appear scary and fierce? What impact would this have on their opponents? Explain that this is why Romans wanted to appear ‘rugged’ and fierce, and why their busts showed them ‘warts and all’.
Outcomes / Children will
·  Explain some of the key features of Roman busts
·  Explain why Romans wanted to have all of their ‘flaws’ on display
·  Relate the development of Roman busts to what we understand about the Roman army

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We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.