THERMÆ ALEXANDRINÆ ️
Design Insights XLIX
Roman architectural history has always been a two-way street. In one lane, there are the tangible pieces of evidence attesting to provenance, like stamped bricks which firmly date a structure to a specific time period and probable patron. In the opposite lane, the breakneck speed of imperial propaganda might well be the only story that survives to this day, just as, I suspect, the patron(s) of any project would have intended.
I specifically chose the example of opposing lanes of traffic for the Thermæ Alexandrinæ as it perfectly describes the friction of evidence versus narrative therein. On the one hand, the vanishingly few excavations carried out on the site have revealed remnants of an elaborate baths complex with building material firmly dating its construction to the third century reign of Alexander Severus. On the other hand, the complex is still interchangeably referred to as the Baths of Alexander [Severus] and as the Baths of Nero. But Nero's claim to the baths on this site are far less certain and much more circumstantial.
The Baths of Nero were built on or near this site, according to multiple sources. Nero's proclivities toward excess, however, resulted in backlash which saw many of his architectural projects either torn down or used as foundations for later overbuilding. Were the Baths of Alexander built on top of Nero's baths? Were Alexander's baths arranged according to the imperial thermæ standard, or did Nero's baths set that standard 150 years earlier? These are just some of the many questions we shall ask - but inevitably fall short of answering - as we explore the Thermæ Alexandrinæ.
Don't miss this all-new DESIGN Insights post highlighting Phase III of my ongoing efforts to build all of Ancient Rome, circa mid-4th century CE!
😎 These insights are EXCLUSIVE to Corinthian patrons, and peel back the curtain months before these designs will be shared publicly. The renderings, on the other hand, are shared with patrons of all tiers.
Support this unprecedented project on Patreon!
Link below ➡️🔗⤵️
www.patreon.com/RoccoButtliere
#Artist #SupportArtists #FineArt #SmallBusinessOwner #History #ChicagoArtist #SPQR #ImperialRome #AncientRome #Rome #Roma #RomanEmpire #LEGO #LEGOArchitecture #LEGOArt #InstaLEGO #GoBricks #Antiquity #Nero #AlexanderSeverus
THERMÆ ALEXANDRINÆ ️
Design Insights XLIX
Roman architectural history has always been a two-way street. In one lane, there are the tangible pieces of evidence attesting to provenance, like stamped bricks which firmly date a structure to a specific time period and probable patron. In the opposite lane, the breakneck speed of imperial propaganda might well be the only story that survives to this day, just as, I suspect, the patron(s) of any project would have intended.
I specifically chose the example of opposing lanes of traffic for the Thermæ Alexandrinæ as it perfectly describes the friction of evidence versus narrative therein. On the one hand, the vanishingly few excavations carried out on the site have revealed remnants of an elaborate baths complex with building material firmly dating its construction to the third century reign of Alexander Severus. On the other hand, the complex is still interchangeably referred to as the Baths of Alexander [Severus] and as the Baths of Nero. But Nero's claim to the baths on this site are far less certain and much more circumstantial.
The Baths of Nero were built on or near this site, according to multiple sources. Nero's proclivities toward excess, however, resulted in backlash which saw many of his architectural projects either torn down or used as foundations for later overbuilding. Were the Baths of Alexander built on top of Nero's baths? Were Alexander's baths arranged according to the imperial thermæ standard, or did Nero's baths set that standard 150 years earlier? These are just some of the many questions we shall ask - but inevitably fall short of answering - as we explore the Thermæ Alexandrinæ.
Don't miss this all-new DESIGN Insights post highlighting Phase III of my ongoing efforts to build all of Ancient Rome, circa mid-4th century CE!
😎 These insights are EXCLUSIVE to Corinthian patrons, and peel back the curtain months before these designs will be shared publicly. The renderings, on the other hand, are shared with patrons of all tiers.
Support this unprecedented project on Patreon!
Link below ➡️🔗⤵️
www.patreon.com/RoccoButtliere
#Artist #SupportArtists #FineArt #SmallBusinessOwner #History #ChicagoArtist #SPQR #ImperialRome #AncientRome #Rome #Roma #RomanEmpire #LEGO #LEGOArchitecture #LEGOArt #InstaLEGO #GoBricks #Antiquity #Nero #AlexanderSeverus