Description
Gems can show both general trends (the specific showpieces like State Cameos) as well as the individual and private acts of being involved in politics and social affairs, mainly through a subtle display of political allegiances, since they were objects of strictly personal use. They enable us to analyse and learn about Roman propaganda and various social behaviours from a completely different angle than coins, sculpture or literature.
The miniaturism of ancient gems is in inverse proportion to their cultural significance. This book presents an evolutionary model of the use of engraved gems from self-presentation (3rd-2nd century BC) to personal branding and propaganda purposes in the Roman Republic and under Augustus (until 14 AD). The specific characteristics of engraved gems, their strictly private character and the whole array of devices appearing on them are examined in respect to their potential propagandistic value and usefulness in social life.
The wide scope of this analysis provides a comprehensive picture covering many aspects of Roman propaganda and a critical survey of the overinterpretations of this term in regard to the glyptic art. The aim is the incorporation of this class of archaeological artefacts into the well-established studies of Roman propaganda, as well as the Roman society in general, brought about by discussion of the interconnections with ancient literary sources as well as other categories of Roman art and craftsmanship, notably coins but also sculpture and relief.
About the Author
Pawel Golyzniak works as a Research Fellow in the Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. His research interests include engraved gems (ancient and neo-classical), Roman Republican and Augustan numismatics, history of antiquarianism, collecting and scholarship as well as 18th century drawings of intaglios and cameos and the legacy of antiquary and connoisseur Philipp von Stosch (1691-1757).
Reviews
'... this volume-splendidly produced at an extraordinarily low price for what it contains (and actually free to download in PDF format)-is a book of enduring worth. Golyzniak deserves our gratitude for writing one of the best books on Roman gems to have been published for a very long time.' - Dr Martin Henig (2020): The Journal of Gemmology
'The catalog (331-445) is the result of a collector's tour de force. All of the approximately 2,900 objects are listed with basic information and, to a significant extent, also illustrated. It is this enormous collection of material that gives the impression that all the objects assembled should be given equal consideration. As a result, motives that can be associated with the aspect of propaganda stand alongside those for which such a connection remains questionable.
As a result, the present volume is a comprehensive compendium on a range of motifs within Glyptic, which previous research has linked to political topics of the late Republic and early Imperial period. The challenge of analyzing the complex problem area of propagating political issues within the framework of a narrow personal world of images will have to be faced again on the basis of this volume.' - Joern Lang (2022): Redaktion sehepunkte
'All in all, Pawel Golyzniak has presented a very stimulating and largely very convincing study on the political use of gems in Rome, which makes the material easily accessible, especially for historians, and will represent the starting point for further work.' - Klaus Scherberich (2021): Bonner Jahrbucher 221
Book Information
ISBN 9781789695397
Author Pawel Golyzniak
Format Hardback
Page Count 618
Imprint Archaeopress
Publisher Archaeopress
Weight(grams) 2389g
