Egypt and Rome

From The Metropolitain Museum Egyptology Department

    "Rome’s rule over Egypt officially began with the arrival of Octavian (later called Augustus) in 30 B.C., following his defeat of Marc Antony and Cleopatra in the battle at Actium. Augustus, who presented himself to the people of Egypt as the successor to the pharaohs, dismantled the Ptolemaic monarchy and annexed the country as his personal estate. He appointed a prefect (governor) for a limited term, which effectively depoliticized the country, neutralized rivalries for its control among powerful Romans, and undermined any possible focus for local sentiments. For almost a decade, Egypt was garrisoned with Roman legions and auxiliary units until conditions became stable. All business was transacted according to the principles and procedures of Roman law, and local administration was converted to a liturgic system in which ownership of property brought an obligation of public service. New structures of government formalized the privileges associated with “Greek” background."

    One of the intresting differnces between the Roman occupation and The Greek invasion with Alexander the Great,  that would become the Ptolemaic Pharaohs, was that the Romans never were never absorbed into Egypt. It was Roman law, garments, and intresting objects such as Obelisks and Egyptian-style architecture and sculpture were removed to Rome. The Greeks with in a generation had merged into Egypt and while they brought change they never sucessfully changed  Egypt compleatly.  Whereas some greek garments show up in art , it's Rome transiting to the Byzatine empire that sets the pace of fashion and discarding  hieroglyphics. It is Rome who defines religion and commerce for Egypt.  

    So what does this have to do with my project? It  means I need to be cognisant of the pannel portaits , and the points in time  that more realism was  used and when less and less of the Egyption symbolism  are encorprated in the painted shrouds.  I am goiung to have to pick a date and stick to it.

I have a lot to think about.

 Department of Egyptian Art. “Roman Egypt.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/regy/hd_regy.htm (October 2000)