{Rain god}[19th February 1991]

[Redbook8:265-266][19910219:1155b]{Rain god}[19th February 1991]

19910219.1155

[continued]

‘... The wars of Marcus Aurelius’ time* ended the calm order of Antonine civilization and the column [(or arch?) of Marcus Aurelius]** (which was begun in his own reign** but finished during that of his unworthy son Commodus (AD180-92))*** makes the point unconsciously, but all the more poignantly, by being closely modelled in its external features on Trajan’s column. But whereas, on the latter, soldiers go about their tasks with order and decorum, here both Romans and barbarians display emotional instability. The figures, smaller and more contorted (resembling those on the base of the column of Antoninus Pius),**** are frequently disposed in tight little bunches. They reflect perfectly the beginning of what Professor Dodds has called an “Age of Anxiety”. One scene is especially moving. The rain is succouring Roman troops and throwing their enemies into confusion, but instead of a straightforward portrayal of this “miracle”, the sculptor has introduced a strange, dominating being, partly composed of long, streaming hairs (of rain). The British reader is reminded of the water-deity whose head appears in the head of the temple pediment at Bath (Bath Museum), instead of a Gorgoneion. In both cases we perceive one of those glimpses, alas all too rare, of daring originality in Roman art.’

#

*161-180CE

(Roman 1024J~-G~)

(2048S~)

**(180-192CE)

***(180-192CE)

****(138-161CE)

# – ibid [Encylopaedia of Visual Art 2]: 197

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