Visualizing Harbours in the Classical World

In recent years, there has been intense debate about the reality behind the depiction of maritime cityscapes, especially harbours. This book argues that the available textual and iconographic evidence supports the argument that these representations have a symbolic, rather than literal, meaning and message, and moreover that the traditional view, that all these media represent the reality of the contemporary cityscapes, is often unrealistic. Bridging the gap between archaeological sciences and the humanities, this volume integrates iconographic materials, epigraphic sources, history and archaeology, along with visual culture.

Ugolini focuses in particular on the triumphal imagery, symbolic value, identity and meanings of the harbour iconography in three main ancient ports: Alexandria, Rome and Leptis Magna. He considers the triumphal imagery of monumental harbours; the symbolism of harbour images and their identification across the Mediterranean; their symbolic, ideological and propagandistic messages; how aspects of Imperial authority and control over the seas were expressed in the iconography of the Julio-Claudian, Trajanic and Severan periods; how they reflected the repute, growth and power of the mercantile class during the Imperial era; and the use of imagery to reflect euergetism and paideia, which would inform the Roman audience about who had power over the sea.