Senator

Definition

In ancient Rome, a senator was a member of the Senate, which was a governing body composed of aristocratic citizens who advised the consuls and played a critical role in the political and administrative life of the Republic and later the Empire. Senators were typically from the upper echelons of society, embodying the political elite whose status and power were often reflected in artistic representations, showcasing their wealth and influence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Senators were usually appointed for life, signifying their elite status within Roman society and governance.
2. The Senate had significant powers, including controlling finances, foreign policy, and legislative matters, thus influencing art that celebrated their authority.
3. Senators were often depicted in Roman art wearing togas, a symbol of their citizenship and status, which distinguished them from lower classes.
4. Many senators also engaged in patronage of the arts, commissioning sculptures, buildings, and other artworks to showcase their wealth and influence.
5. The decline of senatorial power began with the rise of imperial authority in Rome, leading to changes in how social classes were represented in art.

Review Questions

• How did senators influence the representation of social classes in Roman art?
  • Senators played a crucial role in shaping Roman art by commissioning works that reflected their status and authority. Their influence is evident in sculptures, reliefs, and frescoes that celebrated their achievements and showcased their power. This artistic patronage often led to a clear visual distinction between senators and lower social classes, reinforcing societal hierarchies through representation.
• What characteristics of Roman art can be linked to the portrayal of senators and their societal roles?
  • Roman art often featured realistic depictions of senators in their togas, emphasizing their citizenship and rank. Statues and busts captured not only their physical likenesses but also conveyed ideals of virtue, wisdom, and gravitas associated with senatorial authority. This focus on realism not only highlighted individual identities but also reinforced the importance of senatorial roles in governance and society.
• Evaluate how the evolving power dynamics between senators and emperors affected the representation of social classes in Roman art over time.
  • As emperors rose to power, particularly during the transition from Republic to Empire, the traditional authority of senators diminished. This shift was reflected in Roman art as emperors began to dominate artistic representations, often portraying themselves alongside or instead of senators. Consequently, the focus on senatorial imagery decreased, altering how social classes were depicted in art; while earlier works emphasized aristocratic values and virtues through senatorial portraits, later works highlighted imperial grandeur, changing the narrative of social class representation in Rome's artistic legacy.

Related terms

Patricians: The patricians were the noble class in Rome, often holding significant social and political power, and many senators came from this elite group.

Consuls: Consuls were the highest elected political officials in Rome, typically serving as heads of state and military commanders, with senators providing counsel.

Roman Forum: The Roman Forum was a central public space in Rome that served as a venue for political activity and social interaction, where senators often gathered.