College of DuPage Library

Ancient Greece and Rome

Revised art guide in progress by Dominican University / COD practicum student Kathleen Gomez - sp 2016

The arts of ancient Greece and Rome are closely entwined. Ancient Grecian sculpture and architecture in particular were both considerably influential on other cultures across Europe and Asia. Rome was no exception, as the Roman arts were derived directly from Greece, and resulted in a great number of Roman copies of Greek work. Works from both these periods include stone statues, busts, and low-relief slabs, pottery, coins, and frescos and paintings.

The art of ancient Greece was highly technical and humanistic. Artists strived to capture the perfect human form, and representations of people became more natural and less formal as time went on. Temples dedicated to the gods followed architectural formulae and orders: the Doric, Ionic, and later the Corinthian. The four periods of ancient Grecian art are the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic, the four of which spanned from roughly 900 BC to 31 AD.

The rise of the Roman empire around 30 AD included the incorporation of Greece and the subsequent copying of Grecian art. The Romans admired and respected the art forms of the Greeks, and of many other cultures they conquered, and strove to emulate them. Thus, Roman art is more eclectic and decorative than Grecian art. The the ability to purchase and commission art was a symbol of status.

Art Guide Home

  1. Reference Books
  2. Circulating Books
  3. Databases and Websites

Reference Books

Confused about your topic, or not sure where to begin? Start here! Reference books are written to give you a good general overview of a topic. Print reference works are for in-library use only; ebooks can be viewed on and off campus if you have a current COD library card. The reference section is on the first floor of the library, behind the staircase. You can use the catalog or Reference Universe to find both print and electronic reference books.

Ancient Greece

  • 30,000 Years of Art - N5300 .A14 2015
    • This little book is a huge timeline of art, from prehistory to contemporary! Each page contains a color photo of an artwork, the bibliographic information, and a short article. Each entry is color coded on the bottom edge of the page depending on the continent the work originated from. There is a smaller timeline of just text at the end, before the index.
    • See “Greece” in the index, pgs 648-9
  • Arts & Humanities Through the Eras - NX440 .A787 2005
    • This set has 5 volumes dedicated to different eras. Topics covered include music, fashion, architecture, visual arts, theater, and much more! Each book has an era overview, chronology, and table of contents at the beginning of each book and each chapter. Also included are black and white photos, maps, and illustrations; a bibliography after each entry; glossary; and index.
    • See Volume 2 “Ancient Greece & Rome”
  • Grove Dictionary of Art - N31 .D5 1996
    • This is an older resource, but one of the most comprehensive art resources there is. The articles and biographies are a little longer, and features black and white photos and illustrations, maps, and an index. Also part of Oxford Art Online!
    • See “Greece, ancient” Volume 13, pgs 361-607
  • Icons of Beauty: Art, Culture, and the Image of Women - N7630 .M25 2010
    • Historical record of how women are treated and portrayed in art throughout the centuries. Good long articles with great cross-indexing cover the history and method of works discussed, and related works. Features a table of contents in both volumes; black and white and color photos; bibliography; and index.
    • See Volume 1, Chapter 3: “Beauty in Motion: The Nike of Samothrace (c. 190 BCE)”
  • The Oxford Companion to to Western Art - N33 .O923 2001
    • Oxford is one of the premier publishers for art and architecture. This book offers concise articles on Western art movements, artists, and art history. Also available in e-book.
    • See “Greek art, ancient” pgs 314-22
  • Oxford Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture - NA31 .C864 2006
    • Oxford is one of the premier publishers for art and architecture. This dictionary contains short, concise entries on architects as well as architectural terms and periods. Features black and white photos and illustrations and a bibliography after each entry.
    • See “Greek Architecture” pgs 329-30

Ancient Rome

  • 30,000 Years of Art - N5300 .A14 2015
    • This little book is a huge timeline of art, from prehistory to contemporary! Each page contains a color photo of an artwork, the bibliographic information, and a short article. Each entry is color coded on the bottom edge of the page depending on the continent the work originated from. There is a smaller timeline of just text at the end, before the index.
    • See “Rome” in the index, pg 653
  • Arts & Humanities Through the Eras - NX440 .A787 2005
    • This set has 5 volumes dedicated to different eras. Topics covered include music, fashion, architecture, visual arts, theater, and much more! Each book has an era overview, chronology, and table of contents at the beginning of each book and each chapter. Also included are black and white photos, maps, and illustrations; a bibliography after each entry; glossary; and index.
    • See Volume 2 “Ancient Greece & Rome”
  • Grove Dictionary of Art - N31 .D5 1996
    • This is an older resource, but one of the most comprehensive art resources there is. The articles and biographies are a little longer, and features black and white photos and illustrations, maps, and an index. Also part of Oxford Art Online!
    • See “Rome, ancient” Volume 26, pgs 849-925; Volume 27, pgs 1-116
  • The Oxford Companion to to Western Art - N33 .O923 2001
    • Oxford is one of the premier publishers for art and architecture. This book offers concise articles on Western art movements, artists, and art history. Also available in e-book.
    • See “Roman art, ancient” pgs 640-47
  • Oxford Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture - NA31 .C864 2006
    • Oxford is one of the premier publishers for art and architecture. This dictionary contains short, concise entries on architects as well as architectural terms and periods. Features black and white photos and illustrations and a bibliography after each entry.
    • See “Roman Architecture” pgs 653-6

Circulating Books

These are books you can check out! They can get more specific than reference books and are located on the second floor of the library. You can search the catalog before going up or click the box below to see the call numbers for art books so you can browse the shelves. If you find a book while searching that looks awesome but that we don't own, you can submit an inter-library loan request through I-Share and another library will send you the book for free! You will need a COD library card to check books out.

Click Here to See Call Number Ranges

Ask a Library staff member to show you where the "N" and "T" books are located.

N - general works of art
NA - works on architecture
NB - sculpting
NC - drawing
ND - painting
NE - print media
NK - decorative arts & ceramics
NX - special topics in art
TR - photography


Ancient Greece

  • Archaic and Classical Greek Art - N5630 .O73 1998
    • An Oxford publication that looks at ancient Grecian art in relation to politics, religion, and more. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos and maps; a timeline at the end; bibliography; and index.
  • The Art of Ancient Greece and Rome: From the Rise of Greece to the Fall of Rome - N5610 .B32
    • Presents both Grecian and Roman art in chronological order - together! The chapters are broken into subjects with headings for easy skimming. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos; glossary; bibliography; and index.
  • Art Past, Art Present - N5300 .W64 1997
    • A world look at art in chronological order from ancient to publication in 1997. The chapters are short, basically an overview of each art period, with a timeline at the end of each chapter. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos and maps; bibliography; index; and glossary.
  • Classical Art: From Greece to Rome - N5610 .B31 2001
    • An Oxford publication looking at great masterpieces and excavations of ancient Grecian and Roman art and cities, organized by theme, topic, and genre. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos, maps, and diagrams; timeline; bibliography; and index.
  • Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece - N5630 .S82 2004
    • Read about how mythology was used/represented in the art of ancient Greece. Features a table of contents; color photos; glossary; bibliography; and index.
  • Sculpture of the World: A History - NB60 .C55 1968
    • A chronological view of sculpture from primitive and ancient to the 1960’s. Features a table of contents; black and white photos and maps; bibliography; and index.

Ancient Rome

  • The Art of Ancient Greece and Rome: From the Rise of Greece to the Fall of Rome - N5610 .B32
    • Presents both Grecian and Roman art in chronological order - together! The chapters are broken into subjects with headings for easy skimming. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos; glossary; bibliography; and index.
  • Art Past, Art Present - N5300 .W64 1997
    • A world look at art in chronological order from ancient to publication in 1997. The chapters are short, basically an overview of each art period, with a timeline at the end of each chapter. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos and maps; bibliography; index; and glossary.
  • Classical Art: From Greece to Rome - N5610 .B31 2001
    • An Oxford publication looking at great masterpieces and excavations of ancient Grecian and Roman art and cities, organized by theme, topic, and genre. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos, maps, and diagrams; timeline; bibliography; and index.
  • Roman Art - N5760 .D435 1998
    • Talks about Roman art and art patronage as an important part of Roman society and culture. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos and maps; timeline; bibliography; and index.
  • Roman Art and Architecture - N5780 .W5 1985
    • Looks at Roman art and architecture, not just in Rome, but in countries where the empire spread at it’s peak. Features a table of contents; black and white and color photos and plans; bibliography; and index.
  • Sculpture of the World: A History - NB60 .C55 1968
    • A chronological view of sculpture from primitive and ancient to the 1960’s. Features a table of contents; black and white photos and maps; bibliography; and index.

Databases and Websites

All these are web resources that the COD library has subscribed to or that have been gathered from the internet that are helpful for this topic!

Ancient Greek

Databases - Best Bets

Below are library databases where you can access journal articles and other content. Most of these may be accessed from off-campus, but you must have a COD library card to do so.

Some suggested keywords and subject terms to use when searching for articles on this subject are:
- "ancient Greece"
- "Greek antiquities"
- “Greek art”
- “Greek art objects”
- “Greek architecture”

  • Academic OneFile
    • Contains nearly 13,000 indexed journals, newspapers, and magazines, most peer reviewed and many full-text. The research is very current, not much historical content, but there are a wide range of topics covered. There's a really cool topic finder on the search results page, which gives you keywords related to your search! You have the option to save, download, or email the text or MP3 of the article, and you can make a free account to highlight and make notes on the article within the database.
  • Academic Search Complete
    • Contains over 9000 journals, about 7000 of which are full-text. Some journals go back to 1880’s so you can get historical and recent publications on any given topic. There are plenty of options to narrow your search and to save and cite your article.
  • Art & Architecture Complete
    • Similar to Academic Search Complete except it contains only art-specific publications! If you're looking for the subject browsing function, it's titled Thesaurus.
  • Artstor
    • Find images of artworks that can be used in papers and presentations! You can search or browse by geography, media, or museum/gallery collections. Make a free account to save, organize, cite, or export images. Take a look through their subject guides to get ideas for your next project! See the Artstor Quick Start Guide for tips on using this resource.
  • Oxford Art Online
    • An art major's best friend. This database includes the full text of Grove Art Online, the Oxford Companion to Western Art, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms. Your one-stop shop for scholarly articles, biographies, and definitions of all things art-related.

Websites

These resources were compiled from the internet. No library card required!

  • Ancient Greece.org
    • This resource was created by an artist and professor who specializes in Greek art. Here you can find a timeline, maps, and articles about the history, architecture, art, archaeology. They are filled with pictures and links to related articles Even listed are museums which keep ancient Greek artifacts.
  • The George Ortiz Collection - Greek Objects and Greek Objects Continued
    • Photo gallery of objects; clicking on one will take you to a page describing the piece and it’s potential use/value.
  • Google Art Project
    • The Google Art Project is the result of a partnership with museums and galleries to put the art online for free! You can search and browse by museum, collection, artist, or artwork. If you have a Google account, you can create your own "gallery" so you can save and categorize your favorite artwork.
  • Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History - Greek Art
    • Links to the "keyword" feature of the Timeline, which lists all the essays, artworks, and timeline with the "Greek Art" tag. Curated by the Met.
  • The Walter’s Art Museum - Ancient Greece
    • Browse through the ancient Greek collection at the Walter’s Art Museum in Baltimore. There is a really cool slider that goes through the pages! Hovering over a picture will give you a quick overview of object, and clicking on will take you to the full bibliographic record, where you can explore the object by zooming in and clicking different views.

Ancient Rome

Databases - Best Bets

Below are library databases where you can access journal articles and other content. Most of these may be accessed from off-campus, but you must have a COD library card to do so.

Some suggested keywords and subject terms to use when searching for articles on this subject are:
- “ancient Rome"
- “Roman antiquities”
- “Roman architecture”
- “Roman art”
- "Roman art objects”

  • Academic OneFile
    • Contains nearly 13,000 indexed journals, newspapers, and magazines, most peer reviewed and many full-text. The research is very current, not much historical content, but there are a wide range of topics covered. There's a really cool topic finder on the search results page, which gives you keywords related to your search! You have the option to save, download, or email the text or MP3 of the article, and you can make a free account to highlight and make notes on the article within the database.
  • Academic Search Complete
    • Contains over 9000 journals, about 7000 of which are full-text. Some journals go back to 1880’s so you can get historical and recent publications on any given topic. There are plenty of options to narrow your search and to save and cite your article.
  • Art & Architecture Complete
    • Similar to Academic Search Complete except it contains only art-specific publications! If you're looking for the subject browsing function, it's titled Thesaurus.
  • Artstor
    • Find images of artworks that can be used in papers and presentations! You can search or browse by geography, media, or museum/gallery collections. Make a free account to save, organize, cite, or export images. Take a look through their subject guides to get ideas for your next project! See the Artstor Quick Start Guide for tips on using this resource.
  • Oxford Art Online
    • An art major's best friend. This database includes the full text of Grove Art Online, the Oxford Companion to Western Art, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms. Your one-stop shop for scholarly articles, biographies, and definitions of all things art-related.

Websites

These resources were compiled from the internet. No library card required!

  • George Ortiz Collection - Roman Objects
    • Photo gallery of objects; clicking on one will take you to a page describing the piece and it’s potential use/value.
  • Google Art Project
    • The Google Art Project is the result of a partnership with museums and galleries to put the art online for free! You can search and browse by museum, collection, artist, or artwork. If you have a Google account, you can create your own "gallery" so you can save and categorize your favorite artwork.
  • Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History - Ancient Roman Art
    • Links to the "keyword" feature of the Timeline, which lists all the essays, artworks, and timeline with the "Ancient Roman Art" tag. Curated by the Met.
  • Penn Museum - Rome Gallery
    • The Rome Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The homepage has a synopsis of the collection and a few links at the bottom to more resources. You can also search the collection.
  • The Walter’s Art Museum - Roman Empire
    • Browse through the ancient Roman collection at the Walter’s Art Museum in Baltimore. There is a really cool slider that goes through the pages! Hovering over a picture will give you a quick overview of object, and clicking on will take you to the full bibliographic record, where you can explore the object by zooming in and clicking different views.