A brief overview of the legendary and mythical history of the city and its empire, with links to all the articles in this series, and some of the finest paintings.
David
Key parts of the background of paintings of the story of the rape of the Sabine Women, this hill was originally a fortress, then the major temple to Jupiter.
Paintings by David, Richard Dadd, Carl Larsson, Pierre Bonnard, and Jean Béraud exploring the roles of writing in the nineteenth century.
Absent from Classical art, she first appears in Apuleius’ ‘The Golden Ass’, which was written in the 2nd century. Wonderful paintings, particularly from women artists, of this novel.
Son of Zeus and Leto, he has broad responsibilities from archery to prophecy. Popular in paintings, examples from Raphael, Moreau, and others masters.
Lucretia’s rape and suicide, painted by Veronese, Artemisia Gentileschi, Rembrandt, and Kneller, and a wonderful David.
How a nymph is reputed to have dictated the first laws of Rome, and warrior triplets saved Rome from Alba. Poussin, David and others.
Romulus as founder of Rome, including the Rape of the Sabine Women and paintings by Rubens, Poussin, Ingres, David and others.
Not well known now, she features in two myths which have been extensively painted by Tintoretto, Carracci, Brueghel, and Claude Lorrain.
His last chance to establish ‘modern’ history painting, with the Napoleonic Wars and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.
