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Eastern Michigan University

Heroes, saints, and gods: Foundation legends and propaganda in ancient and Renaissance Rome

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The paper investigates the way in which Roman leaders, during the classical and Renaissance periods, used foundation myths as a form of persona l propaganda. It shows that men like Julius Caesar used the supposed founders of the city to promote their own claims to power through art and architecture. It not only explains how men like Augustus would build upon this by including not only the city’s founders, but also Caesar to legitimize their own claims though art, architecture, and literature. And final ly, it provides a look into how the princes of the Renaissance—especially the papal princes—took ancient, imperial, and biblical founders to uphold the papacy’s power over Rome and Christendom, through art, architecture, literature, and art collecting.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Open Access Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
History and Philosophy
Year dc:date.available
2013

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Marsh, Danielle L.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Ronald K. Delph, Chair
  • Dr. James P. Holoka

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/470
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1841

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Eastern Michigan University
Base URL
commons.emich.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Marsh, Danielle L.. Heroes, saints, and gods: Foundation legends and propaganda in ancient and Renaissance Rome. Open Access Thesis thesis, 2013. https://commons.emich.edu/theses/470