Events
'Rome and the Barbarians', the birth of a new world
From January 26 through July 20 2008
At the very beginning of our era, Rome dominated all the Mediterranean coasts and started its northern conquests of Europe. In the West, the British islands were about to be subjected; meanwhile in the continent, the borderlines were shaped by the way of the Rhine and the Danube. Nonetheless, by the end of the 2nd century, the increasing rhythm of Roman conquests was slowed down by frightening warriors coming from Scandinavia, central Europe and Asian steppes: The Barbarians.
The arrival of this populations at the boundaries of the European territory not only stopped the Roman army but also forced it to recede. Thus, by the end of the 5th century, the Western part of the Roman Empire became Barbarians' property.
Yet, is it proper to say that those people 'destroyed' the Empire, as it used to be stated?
Actually, Merovingians in Gaul, Ostrogoths and then Lombards in Italy, Wisigoths in Spain, Vandales in Africa, Anglo-Saxons in British islands, were all fascinated by Roman culture.
Besieging Roman territory, the Barbarians learnt their knowledge and customs, and adopted and spread their religion, Christianism. Even if many antique handcraft techniques were abandoned during this period of conflicts, the cultural diversity of the Barbarians tribes gave birth to a new Western civilisation.
Recalling some events among which the first clashes between Romans and Germans, the 'Roman' Empire of Charlemagne and also the sackings of Rome by the kings Alaric and Genseric, Attila's campaign thoughout Europe, Clovis' conversion...'Rome and the Barbarians' is going to revive centuries of conflicts and coexistence between the two civilisations.
On the three floors of Palazzo Grassi, gathering a great number of archaeological treasures coming from the most famous museums in Europe, Africa and America, some of the pieces will be showed to the public for the first time, the exhibition will shed light on the richness and the technical skills of those populations that have shaped the European cultural heritage
INFO
Palazzo Grassi
San Samuele, Venezia
tel. (+39) 041 5231680
www.palazzograssi.it
'Rome and the Barbarians', the birth of a new worldFrom January 26 through July 20 2008
At the very beginning of our era, Rome dominated all the Mediterranean coasts and started its northern conquests of Europe. In the West, the British islands were about to be subjected; meanwhile in the continent, the borderlines were shaped by the way of the Rhine and the Danube. Nonetheless, by the end of the 2nd century, the increasing rhythm of Roman conquests was slowed down by frightening warriors coming from Scandinavia, central Europe and Asian steppes: The Barbarians.
The arrival of this populations at the boundaries of the European territory not only stopped the Roman army but also forced it to recede. Thus, by the end of the 5th century, the Western part of the Roman Empire became Barbarians' property.
Yet, is it proper to say that those people 'destroyed' the Empire, as it used to be stated?
Actually, Merovingians in Gaul, Ostrogoths and then Lombards in Italy, Wisigoths in Spain, Vandales in Africa, Anglo-Saxons in British islands, were all fascinated by Roman culture.
Besieging Roman territory, the Barbarians learnt their knowledge and customs, and adopted and spread their religion, Christianism. Even if many antique handcraft techniques were abandoned during this period of conflicts, the cultural diversity of the Barbarians tribes gave birth to a new Western civilisation.
Recalling some events among which the first clashes between Romans and Germans, the 'Roman' Empire of Charlemagne and also the sackings of Rome by the kings Alaric and Genseric, Attila's campaign thoughout Europe, Clovis' conversion...'Rome and the Barbarians' is going to revive centuries of conflicts and coexistence between the two civilisations.
On the three floors of Palazzo Grassi, gathering a great number of archaeological treasures coming from the most famous museums in Europe, Africa and America, some of the pieces will be showed to the public for the first time, the exhibition will shed light on the richness and the technical skills of those populations that have shaped the European cultural heritage
INFO
Palazzo Grassi
San Samuele, Venezia
tel. (+39) 041 5231680
www.palazzograssi.it
