Juan Bustion
ARTH 372 Section 6381
Midterm
June 11, 2015

Comparison 1

Both the Equestrian Status of Marcus Aurelius and the Arch of Constantine are two beautiful works that make bold statements specific to its time of origin. The Arch of Constantine symbolizes the victory that Constantine won for to be emperor and the Equestrian Status of Marcus Aurelius represents Constantine as the emperor who made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. Those things being known, it’s obvious that these pieces were meant to bring about feelings of accomplishment and pride in a celebratory way. Let’s start with the Status of Marcus Aurelius. To me this monument illustrates the emperor in his most royal state. He’s on a horse with his right hand risen, which could be him ruling or addressing his people. His realistic posture and regal facial expression portrays a picture that one would only believe to be accurate at such a pivotal time in history. The Arch of Constantine on the other hand, represents the same thing but in a different way. Specifically the frieze of the Arch of Constantine, illustrates him as royal with a more direct depiction. It shows him in the center surrounded by people which I would assume are all his followers. To me this suggests that the emperor’s role was to be of service to the people. I would say that compared to the Statue of Marcus Aurelius, the frieze of the Arch of Constantine is a bit less realistic looking and more for a symbolic piece. The fact that he is missing his head while seated on the throne is meant to depict something deeper than just someone headless. I think that it means that the people are him still had control or a voice so to speak, even though he is physically the head of everything in that time.

Comparison 2

These two works were a little more difficult for me to depict the meanings from but I think that I have a general idea of what they are saying. The more I observed them both I could they that they are both telling a story of