How can a cameo help to build a personality cult? How can you use this specific form of engraving to send a message about your divine powers or extraordinary strength? These three Roman emperors knew. They used this rare form of luxury art to make their message have a special look and feel. Divine. If you want to say you’re divine, your “message” needs to look divine. And unique.
What Exactly is a Cameo?
Cameo is a technique. Very precise. An artist who uses a cameo actually engraves a gem or piece of jewelry. It’s similar to intaglio, but it always represents a strongly positive image about something or someone. Therefore, the technique is very useful for propaganda. So, it’s no wonder so many cameos were present in ancient Rome. An eagle in two- layered onyx definitely looks better than wood or stone. If the observer sees the beauty, he feels pleasant and it captures his heart. Therefore, he feels. And the feeling convinces, not the reason. Not the facts. Emotion. Black eagle on a pale background with golden details looks strong and powerful. Just as numerous Roman legions.
Divine Tyrant
Caracalla was a Roman emperor from 198 to 217. He is remembered as one of the cruelest and bloodthirsty Roman emperors in history. When he became an emperor, he ruled together with his brother Geta, but very soon he ordered his assassination. He did the same with his wife Plautilla and her brother. He was a merciless ruler and wanted to emphasize his role. There is a cameo showing the apotheosis of Caracalla. Apotheosis in Greek means “divinization.” If we take a closer look at the cameo we can see the three figures on the scene – Caracalla the emperor, the eagle and some small angelic figure. Therefore, there are three concepts- the human, the power, and the divine. All three of them are in interaction. And there is also a strong red color contrasting and dominating over the white that emphasizes his role as a ruthless master of life and death.
Mysterious and Powerful
Commodus (161 – 192) jointly ruled with his father Marcus Aurelius until his death in 180. After that, Commodus became the sole emperor. During his reign, there were so many intrigues and plots that he needed to transform his way of rule into a dictatorial-like style. Therefore, Commodus formed a very strong personality cult, sending a message to the public about himself as the divinity and the new Hercules. One of the most interesting cameos is the one showing him with the attributes of Helios, Apollo and Jupiter. The colors of the cameo are not so aggressive as those of the Caracalla example, but rather calming. The shades of yellow and gold are contrasting light blue and black creating perfect harmony and the sentiment of respect. Commodus’ cameo shows him as someone mysterious and powerful, rather than aggressive and cruel.
Self- Absorbed Narcissist
Caligula (12- 41), Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, was the third Roman emperor. Caligula’s personality is very interesting. There are sources portraying him as a noble and modest emperor during the first six months of his rule. But after this, the sources transform him into a cruel sadist, prone to perversion. So, what message did he send about himself? A cameo contrasting a royal blue background and white, light blue shaded figures presents Caligula with the personification of Rome. So, looking closer at the cameo, we can see that he is shown in a quite dominating, self-confident pose, while the personification of Rome sits next to him, full of respect, almost admiration. That confirms the fact many sources brought about Caligula, that he was a narcissistic and self-absorbed ruler above everyone and everything, including the Roman Empire.
Ivana Tucak
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