Choose ONE of the prompts below to respond to for your original post. Each prompt can only be “used” or written about three times maximum among the class as a whole.
Once a prompt has been written about by THREE different people, it’s used up, and you’ll have to choose a different prompt to write on. This is intended to generate diverse discussion over the works and to help your overall understanding of the works. If you are not the first person to write on a prompt, read what others have written and do your best NOT to repeat what has already been said.
When you create a new thread, give it a title that clearly shows the topic of your post (example: “Prompt A: Venus of Willendorf” or an original title such as “The Woman of Willendorf — Not a Venus”)
Your answer to the prompt should be a minimum of 150 words and must use at least two quotations or other specific references to the original reading/media
If you quote, you must indicate any quotations with ” “. All borrowed material must have citations at the end with ( ) according to MLA style.
Please also include a works cited-style entry at the end of your post for any sources you borrowed from, even if you put the ideas in your own words.
Reply posts (you need to do two each week) should be 100 words minimum.

PROMPT A: Analyze the Augustus of Primaporta statue. What specific symbols refer to Augustus’ divine lineage (explain exactly how the symbols do this)? What kinds of messages are intended from the images on Augustus’ breastplate? Finally, how do his physical stance and bodily proportions connect to famous statues from earlier cultures?

PROMPT B: Describe the historical events represented in EITHER the relief carving inside the Arch of Titus OR the carvings that “wrap around” the Column of Trajan. What exactly was happening, when, and where? Based on the work you chose to discuss, explain the messages the carving was intended to convey.

PROMPT C: What was the purpose of the Colosseum? How did it make use of Greek architectural orders? Identify TWO ways the Colosseum (or the activities held there) served as propaganda for the Roman Empire.

PROMPT D: Why did Virgil write the Aeneid? What are the major themes of the Aeneid? Contrast this beloved poem with the poet Ovid’s work around the same time. What are the important themes in Ovid’s poem, Metamorphoses? Explain how Ovid angered the emperor Augustus and got himself kicked out of the city, exiled to the freezing cold Black Sea (in modern-day Romania).

PROMPT E: Who were the Shang Dynasty in ancient China, and what important accomplishments do we associate with them? Explain why the Zhou Dynasty (who came afterward) believed the Shang lost the “Mandate of Heaven.” Discuss the symbolism of the yin yang, which also came about during the Shang dynasty.

PROMPT F: What were some of the important accomplishments of the Qin Dynasty? How did the Qin maintain control over the populace? Describe the importance of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi (with the terracotta army).

PROMPT H: Based on the article “Introduction to East Asian Art,” describe some of the characteristics of Chinese painting. When was the “Golden Age” of Chinese art? What is meant by “flexibility of expression,” and why is it important?