Plants Set in Stone

    While you are walking through the Roman cities you can't help but notice the detailed ornamentation of vegetation that spirals around scenes on stone reliefs. Besides the main scenes there was always nature elements that either set the scene or also give you insights into the vegetation that was around at that time. Most commonly you can find Acanthus leaves in most motifs as they were favoured by sculptors. (Jashemski, 85.) They are especially highlighted in Corinthian columns as they are the bases of that specific style. It is curious to focus more on the leaves than the flower of a plant. Even though the acanthus plants have flowers you find a variety of the leaves covering the city in different assortments. The leaves are commonly depicted in as spiny leaves (Jashemski, 86). Acanthus is also shown through there stems, stalks, corollas, leaves, pistils, berries and tendrils. Even though it can be represented differently it still can be easily identified. Specifically, to the Ara Pacis you can find plants such as Dracunulus vulgaris (Dragon Arum), Carlina (thistle), vitis (wine grape), Ecballium (cucumber), Laurus (bay leaf), Lilium candidum (Madonna lily), helianthemum (rock rose), campanula (bellflower), Nymphaea (water lily), and Phoenix Dactylifera (date palm). Many of these plants that have been pointed out could be also as common as the acanthus leaves, but they are not as well known or easily identified. The plants that are represented would have been native to the region, but some could have been common in Greek architecture and their design could have migrated to Italy. With out these plants on the reliefs the scenes would be lacklustre. 

Figure 1: Plants found on the Ara Pacis Museum infographic (photo by author)

Figure 2: Plants found on the Ara Pacis Museum infographic (photo by author)

Figure 3:  Corinthian Column at the Pantheon (photo by author) 

Figure 4: Vegetal Details on Ara Pacis (photo by author) 

Figure 5: Vegetal Details on Ara Pacis (photo by author) 

Figure 6: Vegetal Details on Ara Pacis (photo by author) 

Figure 7: Vegetal Details on Ara Pacis (photo by author) 

Figure 8: Perennial Acanthus plants near the Capitoline museum (photo by author) 

Figure 9: Perennial Acanthus plants near the Capitoline museum  (photo by author) 

Figure 10: Perennial Acanthus plants near the Capitoline museum  (photo by author) 

Figure 11: Perennial Acanthus plants near the Capitoline museum (photo by author) 

Figure 12: Corinthian columns at a church in Rome (photo by author) 

References 

Jashemski, W.F. Plants. Evidence From Wall Paintings, Mosaics, Sculpture, Plant Remains, Graffiti, Inscriptions, and Ancient Authors. Introduction

"The Rediscovery | Museo Dell’Ara Pacis.” n.d. https://www.arapacis.it/en/il_museo/il_ritrovamento.