The whole world gathered in one place. Pliny’s vision of Rome as a museum

The Elder Pliny and Josephus are the main sources of information about the Temple of Peace erected by the Emperor Vespasian in AD 75. The temple buildings and the large square in front of them contained one of the most important art exhibitions in Imperial Rome. Nero’s art collection from the Domus Aurea and the spoils from the Jewish War were put on display here. Recent excavations give us some idea of the physical setting of the art works. On the basis of the written sources, this article discusses the tradition and the political background and considerations that lead to the erection of this magnificent monument to Peace and analyzes the function and the symbolism of some of the art works put on display in the area of the Temple. In his reaction to reign of Nero and Nero’s abuse of art Vespasian is seen by Pliny as an innovator through the fact that Vespasian looks back to the tradition of his early predecessor Augustus

Ancient history · Ancient Rome · Archaeology · Art · Art history · Classical archaeology · Emperor · Exhibition · Front (military) · Geography · Josephus · Judaism · Politics · Reign · Roman art · Roman Empire · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · Historical and Religious Studies of Rome · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Law