Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph: The Art of the Roman Empire Ad 100-450 (Oxford History of Art)

Rating:
Summary: A most-read for those interest in late roman culture
Review: Historians today are in the process of taking a closer look at periods traditionally seen as "outside" the high points of history. As Jas Elsner demonstrates, the period usually seen as the decline of ancient Roman tradition was in reality a period of rich tradition as people continually reworked their traditions to produce a society just as interesting in its own right as that of Charlemagne or Augustus.

The many illustrations to this book are excellent at illustrating the main points, though they could be larger. That aside, Elsner vivid writing style makes the complex changes of this period easy to understand even to one new to the field. This is a must-read, not only for those interested in Roman art, but for anyone interested in cultural change or art in general.

Rating:
Summary: A most-read for those interest in late roman culture
Review: Historians today are in the process of taking a closer look at periods traditionally seen as "outside" the high points of history. As Jas Elsner demonstrates, the period usually seen as the decline of ancient Roman tradition was in reality a period of rich tradition as people continually reworked their traditions to produce a society just as interesting in its own right as that of Charlemagne or Augustus.

The many illustrations to this book are excellent at illustrating the main points, though they could be larger. That aside, Elsner vivid writing style makes the complex changes of this period easy to understand even to one new to the field. This is a must-read, not only for those interested in Roman art, but for anyone interested in cultural change or art in general.

Rating:
Summary: Elsner Does It
Review: This very readable book interweaves Roman Imperial Art from the second century of our era with evolving Christian traditions. The reader comes away with a nuanced and richly textured picture of place of Christian art in the broader visual culture of the Late Empire. Altogether a wonderful single-volume treatment of this complex period. This book shows us what can be lost when we study art in narrow catagories. Once you read it you won't soon forget that Early Christian art is also Roman art. I found it a very good read.