Why Ancient Objects Matter

This collection of twenty-eight essays by emerging and established scholars presents work that deeply engages with the materiality and history of Greek and Roman artworks, artifacts, and monuments. Dedicated to Prof. John Pollini in honor of his contributions to the study of the ancient Mediterranean world, this volume reflects the broad range of his scholarship, from sculpture (especially portraiture) and its ancient contexts to material studies, iconographic analysis, and the complex ways that religious and political change both shape and are shaped by material culture. The contributions assembled in this volume highlight the diverse ways in which contemporary scholars construct interpretations of visual art based on a deep understanding of the ancient world, precise attention to detail and technique, and rigorous research into the historical contexts of objects, myths, literature, and iconography. Through their interdisciplinary approaches, the contributors offer new insights on artistic production, viewer reception, and social history, with an emphasis on the theme of "transformation" as objects, artworks, and ideas journey through time and from one culture to another.