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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
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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
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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
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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. The chief motivation for Vespasian's return then, was the need to restrain
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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
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later alleged that
Domitian's military endeavours were largely a failure, motivated by a quest for personal glory rather than necessity. The scene depicted on Frieze A seems to counter such accusations by presenting Domitian as a reluctant general, spurred on by the gods
208:, 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.
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in Rome in the late 1930s, and owe this name to their place of finding. It is not known who sculpted these works or which building they were intended to adorn, but it is believed the entire work was executed by the same man, on a commission by the
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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
236:. After Galba and Otho had perished in quick succession, Vitellius' claim to the throne was challenged by Vespasian. Vespasian was at the time conducting the siege of the city of
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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
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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
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50:(81–96 AD). The reliefs originally depicted events from the life and reign of Domitian, but were partially recarved following the accession of emperor
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right, suggests that
Domitian assures his father that Rome has been governed well in his absence, and that their relations are good.
517:"The Cancelleria Reliefs and Domitian's Obelisk in Rome in context of the legitimation of Domitian's reign. ISBN: 978-3-943872-24-8"
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Domitian. The literary evidence of this time must be treated with caution however, as
Tacitus is known to have been heavily
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Once again, ancient authors paint a different picture of the events presented in the
Cancelleria Reliefs. According to both
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Frieze B depicts Vespasian's reconciliation with Domitian following the civil war, in 69. After the death of emperor
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which were said to have been erected under Domitian, but were torn down following his death.
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Mucianus invaded Rome on 20 December 69, and quickly defeated the forces of Vitellius. An
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Frieze A originally depicted Domitian as he prepared to depart for a campaign against the
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The Cancelleria Reliefs depict events from the life of Domitian and the history of the
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in 68, war erupted among the four most influential generals in the Roman Empire—
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spanned a width of nearly 597 cm. Both reliefs measure 210 cm in height.
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Last, Hugh (1948). "On the Flavian Reliefs from the Palazzo della Cancelleria".
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Following his assassination on September 18, 96 however, the Senate passed
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Vespasian's reconciliation with Domitian was indeed amicable.
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effort to legitimize the rule of the Flavian dynasty.
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70:The Cancelleria Reliefs were discovered under the
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122:urge the emperor (Domitian/Nerva) to action.
43:, believed to have been commissioned by the
135:, which was founded by Domitian's father
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561:90s establishments in the Roman Empire
556:80s establishments in the Roman Empire
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493:Storage, Bill; Maish, Laura (2007).
566:1st-century establishments in Italy
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546:Sculptures in the Vatican Museums
551:1930s archaeological discoveries
16:Two incomplete Roman bas-reliefs
166:. Contemporary authors such as
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154:style of the Augustan period.
110:Detail: left end of Panel A.
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497:. rome101.com. Archived from
541:1st-century Roman sculptures
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39:are a set of two incomplete
367:The Lives of Twelve Caesars
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515:Häuber, Chrystina (2023).
495:"The Cancelleria Reliefs"
72:Palazzo della Cancelleria
467:Jones, Brian W. (1992).
428:Journal of Roman Studies
462:(subscription required)
246:Gaius Licinius Mucianus
54:. They are now in the
257:interim administration
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82:. They are now in the
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471:. London: Routledge.
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519:. Hochschule München
469:The Emperor Domitian
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402:Jones (1992), p. 17
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102:Description
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535:Categories
523:2024-04-05
505:2008-06-08
419:References
141:propaganda
457:250352207
283:Ara Pacis
238:Jerusalem
234:Vespasian
230:Vitellius
168:Suetonius
152:Classical
137:Vespasian
277:See also
212:Frieze B
191:and the
158:Frieze A
80:Domitian
48:Domitian
265:Tacitus
177:Minerva
116:Minerva
66:History
31:Panel B
23:Panel A
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449:298163
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270:biased
242:Judaea
164:Chatti
96:arches
453:S2CID
445:JSTOR
294:Notes
222:Galba
206:Nerva
185:Genii
52:Nerva
473:ISBN
232:and
226:Otho
218:Nero
181:Roma
179:and
173:Mars
120:Roma
118:and
112:Mars
88:Rome
35:The
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