Time that does not grow old: A case study of the gilded bronze statuette from the Syrian Sanctuary in Rome
Mason, Christine
Mason, Christine
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Abstract
The fourth-century Syrian Sanctuary on the Janiculum in Rome has been sporadically discussed since 1909 when it was first excavated. The study of objects and architecture from the pagan sanctuary space, usually done in parts rather than holistically has resulted in conflicting descriptions and proposals about its nature. The resulting issue is that the sanctuary site and the gilded bronze statuette, the only object contemporaneous with the architecture and found in its ritual burial context, have remained in a liminal space within the art and history of late antique Rome. To address this, a new case study of the gilded bronze statuette and the site’s architecture was done using new approaches that consider aspects of agency, networks, and lived ancient religion methodologies. How did visitors move through the built environment, and what objects and spaces did they encounter? What relationships did the gilded bronze statuette and reused statuary have with each other and how did they express agency? How does the site architecture fit into the history of traditional Roman and provincial designs and forms? This thesis explores answers to these questions to provide new interpretations on the identity of the gilded bronze statuette and to re-contextualize the built environment of the Syrian Sanctuary, both products of cosmopolitan ancient Rome. The goal is for this study to serve as a guide, and possibly, inspiration on how to approach re-examination of objects and material environments that have open questions or do not fit traditional classifications.
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Master of Arts in Art History -- John Cabot University, Spring 2026.
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2026
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Syrian Temple (Rome, Italy)
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Mason, Christine. "Time that does not grow old: A case study of the gilded bronze statuette from the Syrian Sanctuary in Rome". Master's Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2026.