Roman emperors and their associates

Roman emperors and their associates

Antinous (approx. 110–130 A.D.) – a youth, for whom the emperor lost his mind

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Antoninus Pius (86–161) – a god-fearing, reasonable and just host

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Domitian (51–96) - a great constructor and a despot hated by the Senate

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Hadrian (76–138) – a traveler and an admirer of Greek culture

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Honorius (384–423) – the one, who allowed Rome to be plundered

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Caracalla (188–217) – a brutal madman or a victim of propaganda?

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Commodus (161–192) – an unfortunate son of a great father

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Maxentius (278–312) – an oppressor or a victim of a black legend?

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121–180)– a philosopher on the imperial throne

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Nerva (30–98) – a reasonable, gentle and wise emperor

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Romulus Augustulus (approx. 463–ok. 536) – the last emperor of the Western Empire and….nothing more

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Septimius Severus (145–211) – the one, who made the army into a leading force in the empire

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Theodosius the Great (347–395) – the one, who turned imperium Romanum into imperium Christianum

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Trajan (53–117) – the ideal Roman ruler – courageous, generous and on good terms with the Senate

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Titus (39–81) – the conqueror of Jerusalem and lover of Berenice

Roman emperors and their associates

Emperor Velentinian III (419–455) – the pathetic mutiny of a marginalized ruler

Roman emperors and their associates

Empress Domitia Longina (53?–128?) – respected and condemned, the fate of the wife of the last Flavian

Roman emperors and their associates

Helena – from an innkeeper to a saint, meaning how legends are made

Roman emperors and their associates

Empress Julia Domna (150/160? – 217) – an ambitious ruler and an unhappy mother

Roman emperors and their associates

Galla Placidia (390–450) – an exceptional woman, worth as much as several tons of grain

Roman emperors and their associates

Honoria (418–455?) – an emancipator or a tool of political calculations?

Roman emperors and their associates

Constantina – an imperial daughter and an enigmatic saint

The Temptation of St. Francis – a lesson in the taming of the senses

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The Temptation of St. Francis – a lesson in the taming of the senses

It is not often that we can discover such artistically excellent, moving, and at the same time sensual and sexual works within church interiors. The protagonist of the aforementioned painting is Francis of Assisi – a saint who often appears in Catholic iconography during the post-Trent period – a humble monk, venerated for his noble life, spent in poverty. However, here we see him in an exceptional scene, in which he unveils his human needs, and at the same time struggles against them. This is a warning and a message all in one – how to control one's senses in the face of tem...

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Cardinal Bernardino Spada (1594–1661) – a dream about the grandeur of his own family

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Cardinal Bernardino Spada (1594–1661) – a dream about the grandeur of his own family

Cardinal Spada was a sensible and trustworthy man – diligent and intelligent, he climbed the ladder of a Church career slowly and reasonably. He had great ambitions, although ultimately he was unable to sit upon the papal throne. But he never stopped thinking about it and all his actions, focused on bringing his insignificant in the Eternal City family into the ranks of the black aristocracy, served this purpose. Who was then, this diligent and private official with extraordinary ambitions?

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Chapel del Monte di Pietà – a bombastic symbol of the struggle against usury

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Chapel del Monte di Pietà – a bombastic symbol of the struggle against usury

There is a place in Rome that can be visited only once a year. It is found in an inaccessible palace that currently belongs to a bank, but in the past was connected to an organization that had very little to do with a bank. This place is almost overbearing with its decorativeness, but at the same time, it captivates us with its exquisite selection of materials and the virtuosity of the works of art adorning it. The only surprising fact is that the chapel in question was created for a small number of members of a charitable organization that struggled against usury and brought help to the needy...

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