100 WVIA Way
Pittston, PA 18640

Phone: 570-826-6144
Fax: 570-655-1180

Copyright © 2025 WVIA, all rights reserved. WVIA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Art Bites 132: Caesar and the Pax Romana

3m 52s

Rome’s empire was fueled by plunder from its conquests and held together in part by art that functioned as propaganda. The Altar of Peace in Rome and the Trophy of the Alps in France are two fine examples.

Distributed nationally by American Public Television
Extras
Join Rick Steves and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra on a spectacular musical journey through Europe.
Join Rick Steves for a "best of Poland" special featuring Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk and more.
With Europe as our classroom, Rick shares the essential skills for smart, smooth travel.
Michelangelo sculpted “David,” painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and designed St. Peter’s.
Raphael’s sweet Madonnas set a new standard in High Renaissance painting.
Gothic church design is best illustrated by building one with 13 travelers.
Flemish paintings were happy slice-of-life scenes, feel-good, and affordable.
Oil paints freed artists like Jan van Eyck, Raphael, and Leonardo to raise the bar.
Brueghel was a master of slice-of-life scenes capturing country folk at play.
Albrecht Dürer’s meticulous attention to detail was ideal for his work as an engraver.
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 12
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 11
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 10
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 9
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 8
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 7
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 6
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 5
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 4
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 3
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 2
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 1
Shimmering Impressionist canvases by Monet and Renoir, plus Van Gogh, Gauguin and more.
Roaming Europe, we admire stately Neoclassical buildings and dramatic Romantic paintings.
Early Europeans produce diverse art: from Christians to Muslims and Byzantines to Vikings.
Rome’s rise, as seen in its supersized monuments, colorful mosaics, and marble Caesars.
Greece’s timeless art: Golden Age temples, alluring Venuses, and exuberant Winged Victory.
The turbulent century and its rule-breaking art—Picasso, Surrealism and edgy architecture.
Soaring Gothic cathedrals of radiant stained glass, plus art celebrating worldly pleasure.
Florence’s bold “rebirth” is powered by the genius of Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo.
From Portugal to Germany, booming economies and new technologies produce exquisite art.
We marvel at Baroque’s over-the-top churches, palaces, bubbly fountains, and theatric art.