Roman Art

            Propaganda was an important way in which the emperors of the Roman Empire displayed that all attributes they obtained were positive and would be helpful in leading their society. It was a way the emperors could gain the favor of their people and make sure they had a strong following. However, the ways in which their attributes were displayed vary slightly from sculpture to sculpture, one can also see the difference of propaganda from culture to culture.

            The Commodus as Hercules and portrait head of Caracalla show us that both these rulers are trying to display several attributes they both have to their public. They both are trying to get across the point that they are strong, powerful, and capable of ruling the Roman Empire. They both show the leaders as fairly young. Youth is associated with power as well as showing they will be able to rule for years to come because they are healthy rather than old and sickly.

            However, many of the propagandistic tools that are used in these sculptures differ greatly. The lion head that is being worn by the Commodus as Hercules is a very powerful visual element that makes it easy to tell it is propaganda. Lions are well known to be extremely powerful, aggressive, and strong animals. All the characteristics of the animal are supposed to be seen as attributes the ruler obtains. He may have even killed the lion that he is now wearing as a headdress. Thus showing he has great skills and ability. His body is also fit that we don’t see in the portrait head of Caracalla obviously because it is only a head being represented. However, if we did see the whole body he would probably also be represented as very strong and fit with emphasis on his muscles. The Commodus as Hercules also has a smaller figure by his side that could possibly represent a god or goddess. This is used as propaganda because it shows that the gods are supportive of the emperor’s rule. Commodus as Hercules is also shown having a beard. This in fact represents his wisdom; this shows that he is smart and wise enough to rule.

            The portrait head of Carcalla is shown to be young. He is also represented in a very naturalistic manner. Showing him in a naturalistic way helps others see his resemblance to his other powerful relatives. This helps people understand that it is his rightful duty to be the ruler of the empire.

            The propagandistic elements that we see in both these sculptures seem to play towards the people of that time and of the Roman culture. However, nowadays seeing these sculptures we are able to connect them to being powerful figures, more so the Commodus as Hercules because we see more propagandistic elements. Today it is not likely for us to see a sculpture of say a presidential candidate wearing a lions head with his shirt off. Today that would probably be seen more as a joke and disrespectful than anything.