Rome is the capital city of Italy and has been a major cultural center for almost 3000 years. The founding of city dates back to 753 BC, making it one of the oldest settlements in Europe. Around the 1st millennium BC, Rome became a center of a newly emerging state, which grew by means of expansion over the territories of the bordering countries. Multiple territories near the Mediterranean Sea were included into the Roman state. This powerful dominating country lasted for a millennium due to the continuous usage of slavery and expansion. Having obtained the whole territory of the Mediterranean, Rome particularly depended on Greece and its rich culture with religion, philosophy, literature, and art. In addition, Roman culture was influenced by many other nations, mostly from Etruscans and Greeks. From the Etruscans, Rome obtained the inspiration for the contests of gladiators, theatrical events, sacrifice culture, and the opposition of good and evil. The Romans, just as the Etruscans, were fond of sculpture and modeled things using clay, bronze, was, and other materials. However, Greece remained one of the leading influencers that shaped Roman art. Therefore, Roman art represents its power and the intersection of various cultures. Endless wars and the need to expand the power of its influence and dominance over the conquered territories predisposed Rome to the depiction of its dominance through architecture and portraiture. Above all, the Romans put the ability to rule over the world. Thus, art, especially portraits, was intended to demonstrate the power and authority of emperors leading the Roman state. Bronze statue of the emperor Trebonianus Gallus CE 251–253. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number: 05.30. Portrait of the emperor was a tool of propaganda and presentation of a ruler in a way that he wanted to be perceived by the public. Heroic nudity of the statue and the pose display leadership and military might of the emperor. The sculpture was restored multiple times and, presumably, Trebonianus Gallus held a short sword in his right hand and a spear in his left one. Despite his short rule, he was represented as a glorious emperor in portraits and sculptures. Sardonyx cameo portrait of the Emperor Augustus. CE 41–54. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number: 42.11.30. Augustus was a pioneer in using his image as a means of propaganda. He chose Greek style of representation, and his statutes depicted his idealized image with some of his unique features. Augustus was the first emperor of Roman empire who created professional army, and he managed to double the size of his state with the conquests during his reign. He is usually depicted as youthful in his portraits, with even features and straight eyebrows. One of his private images is a sardonyx cameo portrait, which depicts Augustus with divine characteristics. His figure is white on a dark background, with a laurel wreath on his head. The cape contains the image of the god of wind, which is intended to emphasize the glory of the emperor. Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula. CE 37–41. Accession Number: 14.37. Successors of Augustus were depicted with similar idealized facial features and hairstyles to imply that their