Cancelleria Reliefs
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Cancelleria-Relief-Fries_A.jpg/220px-Cancelleria-Relief-Fries_A.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Cancelleria-Relief-Fries_B.jpg/220px-Cancelleria-Relief-Fries_B.jpg)
The Cancelleria Reliefs are a set of two incomplete
The two panels, commonly referred to as Frieze A and Frieze B, were found incomplete. Frieze A survived relatively intact, but is missing a part of the left end, making it difficult to assess the exact length of the original work. Frieze B contains various broken panels, and is thought to have spanned a width of nearly 597 cm. Both reliefs measure 210 cm in height.[1]
History
The Cancelleria Reliefs were discovered under the
.A number of cautious suggestions have been put forth as to the original location of the Cancelleria Reliefs. Most likely, the sculptures decorated one of the numerous buildings erected under Domitian. Brian Jones suggests two possible locations: the Templum Divorum, which was a shrine dedicated to the military triumphs of Vespasian and Titus,[2] or one of multiple arches which were said to have been erected under Domitian, but were torn down following his death.[3]
Description
Purpose and style
The Cancelleria Reliefs depict events from the life of Domitian and the history of the Flavian dynasty, which was founded by Domitian's father Vespasian in 69 AD. The content of the works has dated their creation to at least 83. As a source of historical information, the reliefs are thought to have been part of a propaganda effort to legitimize the rule of the Flavian dynasty.[4]
The style of the works has imposed some difficulties on their correct dating, however. Whereas similar bas-reliefs which can be dated to the reign of Domitian with certainty, such as from the Arch of Titus, feature a more mannered, Baroque style of sculpture, the Cancelleria Reliefs seem to have been carved in the Classical style of the Augustan period.[5]
Frieze A
Frieze A originally depicted Domitian as he prepared to depart for a campaign against the
Following his assassination on September 18, 96 however, the Senate passed damnatio memoriae on Domitian's memory—his name was erased from all public records and his statues and arches were destroyed. Some of his statues were resculpted to depict the new emperor Nerva, among which was Frieze A of the Cancelleria Reliefs. Nerva's head is markedly out of proportion with his body. His right eye is smaller than his left, and his neck is too long, clearly suggesting the head was carved out of an earlier model for Domitian.[9]
Frieze B
Frieze B depicts Vespasian's reconciliation with Domitian following the civil war, in 69. After the death of emperor
Mucianus invaded Rome on 20 December 69, and quickly defeated the forces of Vitellius. An interim administration was installed with Mucianus as acting emperor, and Domitian as representative of the Flavian family. Vespasian returned to Rome in late September 70, which is the scene historians believe to be depicted on Frieze B. The composition of the characters, with Domitian on the left, and Vespasian on the right, suggests that Domitian assures his father that Rome has been governed well in his absence, and that their relations are good.[9]
Once again, ancient authors paint a different picture of the events presented in the Cancelleria Reliefs. According to both Tacitus and Suetonius, Domitian's conduct during Mucianus' interim government was less than satisfactory; they allege he was over-zealous in distributing political offices, and eager to partake in unwarranted military campaigns.[10] The chief motivation for Vespasian's return then, was the need to restrain Domitian. The literary evidence of this time must be treated with caution however, as Tacitus is known to have been heavily biased against Domitian. If, on the other hand, the Cancelleria Reliefs were indeed propaganda, they may have been intended to dispel popular rumours regarding the future emperor's conduct. Either interpretation cannot be established with certainty, although Jones favours a straightforward account in which Vespasian's reconciliation with Domitian was indeed amicable.[11]
See also
Notes
References
- Last, Hugh (1948). "On the Flavian Reliefs from the Palazzo della Cancelleria". S2CID 250352207.(subscription required)
- Jones, Brian W. (1992). The Emperor Domitian. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-10195-6.
External links
- Storage, Bill; Maish, Laura (2007). "The Cancelleria Reliefs". rome101.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- Häuber, Chrystina (2023). "The Cancelleria Reliefs and Domitian's Obelisk in Rome in context of the legitimation of Domitian's reign. ISBN: 978-3-943872-24-8". Hochschule München. Retrieved 2024-04-05.