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Enemies of Rome: Barbarians Through Roman Eyes
The artists of ancient Rome portrayed the barbarian enemies of the empire in sculpture, reliefs, metalwork, and jewelry. Iain Ferris' study of these remarkable images illuminates a great deal about the barbarians about Roman art, and about the decline of the Roman Empire. The book is finely illustrated with outstanding examples of Roman art, from the "Dying Gaul" to the columns of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius.
- GenresAncient History
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2000
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August 21, 2024
To preface, I am not an authority on this subject, and don't have much significant value to add to the academic discussion other than my general studies on this topic at university.
The only comments of real substance I can make to this book is that it's subject matter was fascinating, but could have been presented better.
The topic of barbarians in the ancient world is rich, and within Roman culture particularly unique: Ferris does touch on this, but could perhaps include more context and background to make the artworks he discusses more meaningful to the reader.
The book is structured without any significant theme groupings, but chronologically. This is fine, but as Ferris' study lacks a historical timeline and full explanation between artworks, this can sometimes leave the casual reader with the feeling of a jumped narrative.
Studies of artworks or monuments often feel list like and descriptive, which can make the text drawn out at times- I am aware that there isn't an easy way around this in an artistic study, and that this is not written as an easy- reading coffee table book, but these are just my thoughts.
Ultimately, though, this subject is fascinating. I think it could appeal to a wider audience if constructed more clearly around a theme or fully established timeline, (ie. Each chapter focuses on one culture throughout time with historical explanations) or broken into separate, more digestible works. I'll certainly be trying to see some of the monuments listed, particularly the markers in Scotland.
Ferris leaves us with the true meaning of this study, and why the ancient barbarian is such a fascinating viewpoint through which to better understand Greco-Roman culture:
"The barbarian in Roman art, whether male or female, whether a Gaul, a German, a Dacian, a Parthian or a Goth, was simply an image, cast from its creators mind and formed from human clay that had no life and no breath."
The only comments of real substance I can make to this book is that it's subject matter was fascinating, but could have been presented better.
The topic of barbarians in the ancient world is rich, and within Roman culture particularly unique: Ferris does touch on this, but could perhaps include more context and background to make the artworks he discusses more meaningful to the reader.
The book is structured without any significant theme groupings, but chronologically. This is fine, but as Ferris' study lacks a historical timeline and full explanation between artworks, this can sometimes leave the casual reader with the feeling of a jumped narrative.
Studies of artworks or monuments often feel list like and descriptive, which can make the text drawn out at times- I am aware that there isn't an easy way around this in an artistic study, and that this is not written as an easy- reading coffee table book, but these are just my thoughts.
Ultimately, though, this subject is fascinating. I think it could appeal to a wider audience if constructed more clearly around a theme or fully established timeline, (ie. Each chapter focuses on one culture throughout time with historical explanations) or broken into separate, more digestible works. I'll certainly be trying to see some of the monuments listed, particularly the markers in Scotland.
Ferris leaves us with the true meaning of this study, and why the ancient barbarian is such a fascinating viewpoint through which to better understand Greco-Roman culture:
"The barbarian in Roman art, whether male or female, whether a Gaul, a German, a Dacian, a Parthian or a Goth, was simply an image, cast from its creators mind and formed from human clay that had no life and no breath."
Displaying 1 of 1 review