Convergences and Divergences: Insights on the Architectural Decoration of Rome Between the 1st and 2nd Century AD

Abstract

This paper examines the stylistic, technical, and morphological development of Roman architectural decoration between the Julio-Claudian period and the first half of the 2nd century AD. After the standardization established under Augustus, decorative models remained consistent before undergoing significant transformations during the Neronian and Flavian periods, with notable variations in both craftsmanship techniques and stylistic approaches. The Hadrianic period partially revived previous models, often through deliberate citationism, resulting in a distinctly eclectic production. Therefore, particular attention is given to the processes of standardization, adaptation, and reinterpretation of architectural decorative forms, highlighting the interplay between Augustan continuity, Neronian experimentation, and the reworking of earlier models in the Hadrianic era.