Roman Aesthetics as Symbols of Power

Roman Aesthetics as Symbols of Power

Presenter(s)

Camden Daley

Comments

3:40-4:00, Kennedy Union 310

Description

Since the fall of Rome, political movements have drawn upon its aesthetics to project power and instill pride in their base. This research explores why leaders and governments emulate Roman symbols and architecture, arguing that these choices serve as a deliberate strategy to inspire confidence and establish authority. By invoking Rome, political entities seek to connect themselves to a legacy of strength, stability, and imperial grandeur. This study examines three case studies: the United States, Napoleonic France, and Fascist Italy. These three examples will serve to analyze how each adapted Roman imagery to suit its political ambitions. The United States, in its founding, adopted neoclassical architecture and the Roman eagle. This is shown in Kumar’s (2017) “The Idea of Empire,” in which he describes America as being akin to the grandeur of Rome. Napoleon Bonaparte used Roman triumphal arches and imperial symbols to emulate the aesthetics associated with Roman emperors and conquerors. Mussolini, in his quest to restore Italian greatness, explicitly tied his regime to Rome, employing the use of the fasces and monumental architecture to evoke imperial dominance. This is most apparent through the Italian EUR complex, which combined modern and Roman architectural styles in order to emulate the appearance of Roman spaces, as explored in Muller’s (2012) “The imperial mirror: Rome as reference for empire.” This research demonstrates how aesthetics serve as more than decoration, they function as powerful political tools, shaping public perception and reinforcing authority. The study contributes to broader discussions on the role of historical identity in political messaging, emphasizing how the past continues to shape modern expressions of power.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Course Project - HST 304 H1

Primary Advisor

Dorian Borbonus

Primary Advisor's Department

History

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Traditions; Critical Evaluation of Our Times

Roman Aesthetics as Symbols of Power

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