Equestrian Statue and the Style of Marcus Aurelius

This architecture essay seeks to study humanities in relation to the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. The statue is an image of Marcus Aurelius, an emperor who was victorious and conquered in his time. However the statue portrays him as an emperor of peace and not of war hero. This architecture essay seeks to study the architectural work of this statue in relation to culture and style. It seeks to study how the creative architectural work had an impact in the culture, history and the world at large.

What is the Subtext or Implicit Message that the Creative Architecture has had on the Statue?

Greece is a very unique place whose culture is mostly dominated by religion. The Greek architecture includes creative work that is created and developed in distinctive proportions and specific details. The Greek orders on architectural are three architectural styles which are; Dori,Ironic and Corinthian styles. These very unique styles originated from the Greece specifically from the religious culture of Rome.

These orders are named after Greeks regions which are believed to be the places where the orders were first used (Vitruvius). The architecture and style of the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius has had a profound effect on the Greek culture and through out the world. The work of this sculpture has also had an impact on architecture of the Greek and Romans as a creative work. The work or the architecture of the statue has not only attracted many architects from all over the world but has also posed a challenge to other architectural works.

Architectural has allowed and helped to tell the story of the legend which would have otherwise been lost to antiquity. Architecture was important and crucial to the success of Rome. The architecture of Rome has had an influence to the western world and other parts of the world. This is because the nations and leaders who were or are in authority emulate the forms of Roman architecture. (Kleiner, p.234) This simply means that many nations and leaders are borrowing the Roman formula and architecture. Roman architecture has also influenced American culture, French and other nations all over the world. This is because the uniqueness of the Roman and the Greek architecture. This is because the nations appreciate the architecture of Roman and are amazed by the architectural styles of the Roman and Greek statues and buildings.

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman empire who was also a trained philosopher among other things. It is believed that at his time Marcus was a very lenient and humanitarian ruler. However, Christians do not view him as humanitarian or lenient .This is because he regarded Christians as enemies of the state. He is the only equestrian statue who has survived from his time. He was known as a good emperor although Christians had a different view of him. Therefore, he created a divide between the Christians and other religions which has been carried to the present age. It is important to note that humanities are academic disciplines that study human condition in this case. This means the study of the relationship between humanities in the context of technology in the modern times and the historic older age. It studies human condition in relation to architecture.

These humanities include ancient buildings and statues that represent the architecture from the prehistorically time to the modern times. In this case the humanities touch on culture, style, technology and history. Architectural humanities are originated from the classical antique cultures from the ancient Greek and roman cultures which are highly recognized all over the world. In the 20^th century, the humanities in American life, this stated that through humanities, the historic and scientific study is an important reflection on what it really means to be human. The book continued to state that humanities can only offer clues but never complete answers. The humanities simply show how people try so hard to make moral, spiritual and intellectual sense of the world.

These humanities can be recognized, seen in architectural work. This is because humans create and make unique buildings, structures and statues that help them to hold on to history, hope and life. This can be seen in the statue of Marcus Aurelius, who was a figure that many people respected and thus wanted to hold on to the moral, artistic and architectural values of the same. In this way, the statue of Marcus Arurelius is identified with the values and the historical events that the emperor held and believed. In the modern age, it has become possible to carry out research of humanities digitally. Note that humanities are based on nexus of lived experiences other than absolute knowledge. (Fergusson, p.524)

What is the Role of Humanities in Architecture?

The role of humanities in architecture according to Arroyo’s criticism is on the assumption that humanities serve as an opposing force against the modern age technology and science. Science and technology is on the roadway to finding truth in architectural discipline. This is evident from the many enquires, references and influences on the causes the rebirth of new ideas and designs. Therefore architecture is a practice that requires negation and dialogue amongst social, political, technological, and practical concerns. Vitruvius asserted that architect should be accomplished from skill and knowledge which is derived from philosophy, morality and laws of motion. This perspective is instructive in context and was a critic statement in regards to the social standing of Rome architect.

However, this statement provides a road map on how to settle the dust on many conflicting roles of humanity in architecture. The theory plus the practice of architect has attracted many different views on different aspects of humanities. These views differ in art or science but are all on the road map of humanities. The modern technology calls for more emphasis on material and environmental aspects using science and art. Science and technology mainly involve and require a thorough examination of the demise as opposed to the evident in many aspects of humanities. (Weber, p.134)

On the other hand, Aroyo his book seems to take another route on this topic when he insists on an old fashioned difference between mind and matter. This cannot and did not fit well with the modern age technologies and science. This idea is overruled by E.G Slingerlands suggestion on the natural science theory. Slingerlands asserts that mechanistic (Naturwissenschaftenb) are explanations of humanities while human science (Geistewissenschaften) refers to the understanding of the humanities.

The process of understanding of humanities entails technology and great understanding in humanities. There needs to be a process of consilience between the understanding and the explanation. This will give the many different opinions from the earlier days to the modern days. A common ground will not only be productive but will also create dialogue which would help in the progression of humanities in relation to architecture. There is however one enemy of being human. This is known as reductivism.

How is Reductivism a Threat?

Reductivism is a threat because it threatens the humanities discipline in the face of science and technology. It is leads to excessive post structural and post modern theories that have in many different ways tried to end the humanities disciplines. The ethical dimension in the older age in relation to relationships was deeply embedded with social, political and religious authorities. An example of this would be the authoritative figure such as Marcus Aurelius.

To What Extent Should the Role of Humanities Be Construed?

The extent of humanities that have cause authoritative figures from the past for example, Marcus Aurelius, to be seen as guardians on the roles of architecture is the underlying theme and the main basis of this study. Humanities should not put emphasis or too much importance on what they can do with them but what they can do for themselves. The world is rapidly changing in view with the rapid changes and growth into technology, science and politics. History has therefore become a very essential branch of humanity and ultimately will and has become a wide area of intellectual enquiry on the same.

The only way to fully and widely understand humanity is by fully recognizing the limitations and potential to exceed the human nature. It is important to note that the humanities discipline involve the social, political, religious and cultural order. These orders are the backbone or the thesis for architectural survival and success. The basis of architectural creativity originated from the exchange between architectural and textual meanings which has been widely debated. The five disciplines of humanities according to Arroyo are; anthropology, sociology, ethnography and political science. The main question is ‘what is the architectural rightful position between praxis and contemplation? The rightful place can only be found if a middle ground could be agreed on. (Bandyopadhyay, p.87)

It is also important to keep in mind that these disciplines help the ability of humans to carefully look into the specific nature and matter of this study. In order to ensure continuity of architecture it is important to choose appropriate concepts. Globalization and advancement in technology in the modern times has affected the negotiation of a middle ground on the same. Many necessary and important concepts have been put aside and there is now an expansion of choice in the different aspects of humanities. In other words, the modern times are divided between technology and humanity and architecture is the only answer that can transform culture and society. The middle ground would therefore be dialogue and understanding of the past in the hope of a greater and better future. (Eaverly, p.38)

However, this remains a hope and is yet to be seen. Traditions from the past are important in the process of sharing the future. This is because the past is the corner stone of sharing the future. Many critics and philosophers have preferred technology which leaves a very critical question on the relationship between transcription and translation. This question still stands unanswered and is yet to be answered. Development of technology is important in the contribution in the understanding of culture design. History is not only a special branch of humanities. The explanations and understanding of humanities largely depends on science and technology.

Conclusion

This architecture essay has helped to bring to light the basis of architectural creativity that originated from the architectural and the textual meaning of the same. It has also tried to unearth the different theories on humanities and architectural disciplines. The difference has arisen from technology and science which seeks to use historic findings to enhance a better tomorrow. Science and technology would be useless without the architectural history.