John Pollini

USC Associates Professor in Art History and Professor of Art History, History and Classics
John Pollini
Email pollini@usc.edu Office THH 355 Office Phone (213) 740-4554

Research & Practice Areas

Classical Art and Archaeology
(Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology)

Center, Institute & Lab Affiliations

  • Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, UCLA, Cotsen Fellow

Education

  • Ph.D. Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology, University of California at Berkeley, 1/1978
  • M.A. Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology, University of California at Berkeley, 1/1973
  • B.A. Classics, magna cum laude, University of Washington, 1/1968
  • Tenure Track Appointments

    • Dean of the School of Fine Arts, University of Southern California, 1993 – 1996
    • Professor, Department of Art History (Joint Professor in Department of History and Adjunct Professor in Department of Classics), University of Southern California, 1991 –
    • Chairman of the Department of Art History, University of Southern California, 1990 – 1993
    • Associate Professor, Department of Art History and Department of Classics (adjunct appointment), University of Southern California, 1987 – 1991
    • Assistant Professor, Department of Classics, Johns Hopkins University, 1980 – 1987
    • Curator, Johns Hopkins University Archaeological Museum, 1980 – 1987
    • Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Classics, Johns Hopkins University, 1979 – 1980
    • Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Classics, Case Western Reserve University, 1978 – 1979
  • Summary Statement of Research Interests

    Professor Pollini’s research is concerned with methodologies of classical art and archaeology, ancient history, classical philology, epigraphy and numismatics. His other scholarly research interests include ancient religion, mythology, narratology, rhetoric and propaganda. Over the years Professor Pollini has excavated at the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias, Turkey, and the Etruscan site of Ghiaccio Forte, Italy, and participated in the underwater survey of the port of Tarquinia (Gravisca), Italy. Since 2010 he has been involved in excavations in and around Rome in connection with USC’s summer excavation course in Italy. Trained in the methodologies of classical art and archaeology, ancient history, classical philology, epigraphy, and numismatics, Professor Pollini is committed to interdisciplinary teaching and research. Professor Pollini has lectured widely both in the United States and abroad. He has published numerous articles and authored several books.

    Research Specialties

    Classical Art and Archaeology
    (Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology)

  • Book

    • Pollini, J.Augustus Caesar: From Image to Icon.
    • Pollini, J.Christian Destruction and Desecration of Images and Temples of Classical Antiquity.
    • Pollini, J. (2012). From Republic to Empire: Rhetoric, Religion, and Power in the Visual Culture of Ancient Rome. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). Terra Marique: Studies in Art History and Marine Archaeology in Honor of Anna Marguerite McCann on the Receipt of the Gold Medal of the Archaeological Institute of America. Oxford, England: Oxbow Books.
    • Pollini, J. (2003). The deNion Head: A Masterpiece of Archaic Greek Sculpture. Mainz, Germany: Philipp von Zabern.
    • Pollini, J. (2002). Gallo-Roman Bronzes and the Process of Romanization: The Cobannus Hoard.
    • Pollini, J. (1990). Roman Portraiture: Images of Character and Virtue, Fisher Gallery, University of Southern California, 1990.
    • Pollini, J. (1987). The Portraiture of Gaius and Lucius Caesar. Fordham University Press.

    Book Chapters

    • Pollini, J. (2018). Contact Point: The Image and Reception of Egypt and Its Gods in Rome. Beyond the Nile: Egypt and the Classical World
    • Pollini, J. (2017). Burning Rome, Burning Christians. The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Nero
    • Pollini, J. (2016). The God from Cape Artemision: Zeus or Poseidon? An Old Question, a New Approach. Proceedings of the XVIIth International Congress
    • Pollini, J. (2015). Some Observations on the Use of Color on Ancient Sculpture, Contemporary Scientific Exploration, and Exhibition Displays. Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone
    • Pollini, J. (2014). Observations on Augustus’ Obelisk, Meridian, and Ara Pacis and their Symbolic Significance in the Bildprogramm of Augustus. The Horologium of Augustus: Debate and Context
    • Pollini, J. (2014). La parente d’Auguste. Auguste
    • Pollini, J. (2013). The Archaeology of Destruction: Christians, Images of Classical Antiquity, and Some Problems of Interpretation. pp. 241-65. Albany.N.Y..
    • Pollini, J. (2013). “Re-immaginanado” l’immagine di Caligola: Un’indagine fra l’uomo e il mito. Caligola: La trasgressione al potere
    • Pollini, J. (2013). I parenti e gli eredi di Augusto. Augusto
    • Pollini, J. (2012). Computer Technology and Three-Dimensional Models in Determining the Recutting of Roman Portraits: The Getty Augustus. Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone pp. 31-37. Taragona: Institut Català d’Arqueologia Classical.
    • Pollini, J. (2007). Ritualizing Death in Republican Rome:Memory, Religion, Class Struggle, and the Wax Ancestral Mask Tradition’s Origin and Influence on Veristic Portraiture. pp. 237-85. Chicago: Oriental Institute Seminars 3, University of Chicago.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). The Armstrong and Nuffler Heads and the Portraiture of Julius Caesar, Livia, and Antonia Minor. pp. p. 89-122. Oxford, England: Oxbow Books.

    Book Review

    • Pollini, J. (2020). Review of K. Fittschen, Halbierte Köpfe? Trierer Winckelmannsprogramme. Bonner Jahrbücher. pp. 473-75.
    • Pollini, J. (2018). Review of A. Scholl (ed.), Katalog der Skulpturen in der Antikensammlung der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin I: Griechische und römische Bildnisse. Gnomon.
    • Pollini, J. (2016). Review of K. Fittschen and P. Zanker, Katalog der Römischen Porträts in den Capitolinischen Museen und den anderen Kommunalen Sammlungen der Stadt Rom. Gnomon.
    • Pollini, J. (2016). K. Fittschen and P. Zanker, Katalog der Römischen Porträts in den Capitolinischen Museen und den anderen Kommunalen Sammlungen der Stadt Rom. Gnomon.
    • Pollini, J. (2014). Review of T. M. Kristensen, Making and Breaking the Gods: Christian Responses to Pagan Sculpture in Late Antiquity. Bryn Mawr Classical Review. Online
    • Pollini, J. (2009). The Splendor of Roman Wall Painting. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (2006). S.Fine, Art and Judaism in the Greco-Roman World: Toward a New Jewish Archaeology. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (2006). E. Hartley, J. Hawkes, M. Henig, and F. Mee (edd.), Constantine the Great : York’s Roman Emperor.
    • Pollini, J. (2006). M.D. Stansbury – O’ Donnell, Vase Painting, Gender, and Social Identity in Archaic Athens. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). D. Mazzoleni, Domus: Wall Painting in the Roman House. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (2004). G. Curtis, Disarmed: The Story of the Venus de Milo. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (2004). J.J. Herrmann and and C. Kondoleon (edd.), Games for the Gods: The Greek Athlete and the Olympic Spirit. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (2004). E, Leach, The Social Life of Painting in Ancient Rome and on the Bay of Naples. Choice.
    • Pollini, J. (1993). D. Boschung, Die Bildnisse des Augustus Das römische Herrscherbild (I.2). Art Bulletin. pp. 35. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1986). Review of J. Ganzert, Das Kenotaph für Gaius Caesar in Limyra. American Journal of Archaeology. pp. 523-27. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1986). Review of R. Brilliant, Visual Narratives. Storytelling in Etruscan and Roman Art. American Journal of Philology. pp. 523-27.
    • Pollini, J., Torelli, M. (1983). Review of M. Torelli, Typology and Structure of Roman Historical Relief. American Journal of Archaeology. pp. 572-73. Online

    Encyclopedia Article

    • Pollini, J. (2009). Augustus: Portraits of Augustus. Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome.

    Journal Article

    • Pollini, J., Giumlia-Mair, A. (2018). New Discoveries Regarding the Statue of Germanicus from Amelia. American Journal of Archaeology.
    • Pollini, J., Antonelli, F., Cancelliere, S. (2017). A Short Note on the Archaeometric Study of Two Sculptures in the Gabinetto Segreto of the Naples National Archaeological Museum: The ‘Pan and the She-Goat’ Group and the ‘Bikini Venus,’. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. Vol. 9
    • Pollini, J. (2017). The Birth of Augustus, the Solarium Augusti, and the Life-Giving Aspects of Apollo and Sol in Augustan Visual Culture. Studies in Digital Heritage. Vol. 1.1
    • Pollini, J. (2017). Aeneas, Augury, and Dynasty and Destiny in the Ideology of Augustan Visual Culture. Studies in Digital Heritage. Vol. 1.1
    • Pollini, J. (2017). The Bronze Statue of Germanicus from Ameria (Amelia). American Journal of Archaeology. Vol. 121
    • Pollini, J. (2017). The ‘Lost’ Nollekens Relief of an Imperial Sacrifice from Domitian’s Palace on the Palatine: Its History, Iconography, and Date. Journal of Rman Archaeology. Vol. 30
    • Pollini, J. (2012). A New Winged Goat Table Leg Support from the House of Numerius Popidius Priscus at Pompeii and the Rediscovery of Related Finds Lost for a Century and a Half. Vesuviana. Vol. 4, pp. 143-55.
    • Pollini, J. (2010). Lovemaking and Voyeurism in Roman Art and Culture: The House of the Centenary at Pompeii. Roemische Mitteilungen. Vol. 116, pp. 289-319.
    • Pollini, J. (2009). A new Portrait Bust of Tiberius in the Collection of Michael Bianco. Bulletin Antieke Beschaving. Vol. 83, pp. 133-138.
    • Pollini, J. (2008). “Gods and Emperors in the East: Images of Power and the Power of Intolerance,”. The Sculptural Environment of the Roman Near East: Reflections on Culture, Ideology, and Power (Interdisciplinary Studies in Ancient Culture and Religion ). pp. 165-96. online
    • Pollini, J. (2007). A New Bronze Lar and the Role of the Lares in the Domestic and Civic Religion of the Romans. Latomus. Vol. 66, pp. 270-273.
    • Pollini, J. (2007). A New Bronze Portrait Bust of Augustus. Latomus/Latomus. Vol. 66, pp. 270-273.
    • Pollini, J. (2007). Christian Desecration and Mutilation of the Parthenon. Athenische Mitteilungen. Vol. 122, pp. 207-228.
    • Pollini, J. (2007). “Ritualizing Death in Republican Rome: Memory, Religion, Class Struggle, and the Wax Ancestral Mask Tradition’s Origin and Influence on Veristic Portraiture”. Performing Death: Social Analyses of Funerary Ritual in the Ancient Near East and Mediterranean (Oriental Institute Seminars 3, University of Chicago),. pp. 237-85.
    • Pollini, J. (2006). Mutilation and Transformation: Damnatio Memoriae and Roman Imperial Portraiture. The Art Bulletin/College Art Association. Vol. vol. 88, pp. pp. 591-598.
    • Pollini, J. (2006). Review of E. Varner, Mutilation and Transformation: Damnatio Memoriae and Roman Imperial Portraiture (Monumenta Graeca et Romana 10). Art Bulletin. Vol. 88 (591), pp. 98. Online
    • Pollini, J. (2005). A North African Portrait of Caracalla from the Mellerio Collection and the Iconography of Caracalla and Geta. Revue Archeologique/Revue Archeologique. pp. p. 55-77.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). A New Marble Portrait of Tiberius: Portrait Typology and Ideology. Antike Kunst/Antike Kunst. pp. 57-72.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). A Bronze Gorgon Handle Ornament of the Ripe Archaic Greek Period. Annuario della Scuola Archeologica Italiana di Atene e delle Missioni Italiani in Oriente/Scuola Archeologica Italiana di Atene. Vol. 83, pp. 235-247.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). “The Armstrong and Nuffler Heads and the Portraiture of Julius Caesar, Livia, and Antonia Minor”. Terra Marique: Studies in Honor of Anna Marguerite McCann on the Receipt of the Gold Medal of the Archaeological Institute of America. pp. 89-122. Online
    • Pollini, J. (2005). “Problematics of Making Ambiguity Explicit in Virtual Reconstructions: A Case Study of the Mausoleum of Augustus,” with L. Swartz, K. Kensek, and N. Cipolla. Electronic publication of the international conference, Computer Technology and the Arts: Theory and Practice, sponsored by the British Academy and the University of London.
    • Pollini, J. (2004). The Caelian Hill Sacrificial Minister: A Marble Head of an Imperial Slave-Boy from the Antiquarium Comunale on the Caelian Hill in Rome. Roemische Mitteilungen/German Archaeological Institute. pp. p. 1-28.
    • Pollini, J. (2004). “The Caelian Hill Sacrificial Minister: A Marble Head of an Imperial Slave-Boy from the Antiquarium Comunale on the Caelian Hill in Rome,”. Römische Mitteilungen. (111), pp. 1-28.
    • Pollini, J. (2003). “A New Head of Augustus from Herculaneum: A Marble Survivor of a Pyroclastic Surge,”. Römische Mitteilungen. (110), pp. 303-318. online
    • Pollini, J. (2003). “Slave-Boys for Sexual and Religious Service: Images of Pleasure and Devotion,”. Flavian Rome: Culture, Image, Text. pp. 149-66. online
    • Pollini, J. (2002). ” ‘Frieden-durch-Sieg’ Ideologie und die Ara Pacis Augustae: Bildrhetorik und die Schöpfung einer dynastischen Erzählweise,”. Krieg und Sieg: Narrative Wanddarstellungen von Altägypten bis ins Mittelalter (Internationales Kolloquium 23. – 30. Juli 1997 im Schloss Heindorf, Langenlois; Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften XXIV). pp. 137-59. online
    • Pollini, J. (2002). “A New Portrait of Octavia and the Iconography of Octavia Minor and Julia Maior,”. Römische Mitteilungen. Vol. 109, pp. 11-42. online
    • Pollini, J. (2002). “Two Gallo-Roman Bronze Portraits of Sacrificial Ministrants in the J. Paul Getty Museum,”. From the Parts to the Whole 2: Acta of the 13th International Bronze Congress, Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 28 – June 1, 1996. pp. 89-91. online
    • Pollini, J. (2001). “A New Portrait of Octavian/Augustus Caesar,”. Roman Sculpture in the Art Museum, Princeton University. pp. 6-11. online
    • Pollini, J. (2001). “Two Bronze Portrait Busts of Slave-Boys from a Shrine of Cobannus in Roman Gaul,”. Studia Varia II: Occasional Papers on Antiquities of The J. Paul Getty Museum. (10), pp. 115-52. online
    • Pollini, J. (2000). “The Marble Type of the Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta: Facts and Fallacies, Lithic Power and Ideology, and Color Symbolism in Roman Art,”. Paria Lithos: Parian Quarries, Marble and Workshops of Sculpture (Proceedings of the First International Conference on the Archaeology of Paros and the Cyclades, Paros, 2-5 October 1997). pp. 237-52. online
    • Pollini, J. (2000). “Ein mit Inschriften versehener Legionärshelm von der pannonisch-dakischen Grenze des römischen Reiches: Besitzverhältnisse an Waffen in der römischen Armee,”. ” in M. Junkelmann, Römische Helme VIII Sammlung Axel Guttmann. online
    • Pollini, J. (2000). “The Riace Bronzes: New Observations,”. Kölner Jahrbuch. (33), pp. 37-56. online
    • Pollini, J. (1999). “The Warren Cup: Homoerotic Love and Symposial Rhetoric in Silver,”. The Art Bulleting. Vol. 81 (21-52) online
    • Pollini, J. (1998). “Parian Lychnites and the Prima Porta Statue: New Scientific Tests and the Symbolic Value of the Marble,” with N. Herz, K. Polikreti, and Y. Maniatis,. Journal of Roman Archaeology. (11), pp. 275-84. online
    • Pollini, J. (1997). “The ‘Dart Aphrodite’: A New Replica of the ‘Arles Aphrodite Type,’ the Cult Image of Venus Victrix in Pompey’s Theater at Rome, and Venusian Ideology and Politics in the Late Republic – Early Principate,”. Latomus. (55), pp. 757-85. online
    • Pollini, J. (1995). “The Augustus from Prima Porta and the Transformation of the Polykleitan Heroic Ideal,”. Polykleitos, the Doryphoros, and Tradition. pp. 262-82. online
    • Pollini, J. (1994). “The ‘Trojan Column’ at USC: Reality or Myth?”. Trojan Family. pp. 30-31.
    • Pollini, J. (1993). “The Acanthus of the Ara Pacis as an Apolline and Dionysiac Symbol of Anamorphosis, Anakyklosis and Numen Mixtum,”. Von der Bauforschung zur Denkmalpflege, Festschrift für Alois Machatschek. pp. 181-217.
    • Pollini, J. (1993). “The Cartoceto Bronzes: Portraits of a Roman Aristocratic Family of the Late First Century B.C.,”. American Journal of Archaeology. Vol. 97, pp. 423-46. online
    • Pollini, J. (1993). “The Gemma Augustea: Ideology, Rhetorical Imagery, and the Construction of a Dynastic Narrative,”. Narrative and Event in Ancient Art. pp. 258-98. online
    • Pollini, J. (1992). “The Marble Type of the Augustus from Prima Porta: An Isotopic Analysis,”. Journal of Roman Archaeology. (5), pp. 203-208.
    • Pollini, J. (1992). “The Tazza Farnese: Principe Augusto ‘Redeunt Saturnia Regna’!”. Journal of Roman Archaeology. (96), pp. 249-55, 283-300.
    • Pollini, J. (1990). “Man or God: Divine Assimilation and Imitation in the Late Republic and Early Principate,”. Between Republic and Empire: Interpretations of Augustus and His Principate. pp. 334-63. online
    • Pollini, J. (1988). “Two Acrolithic or Pseudo-Acrolithic Sculptures of the Mature Classical Period in the Archaeological Museum of the Johns Hopkins University,”. Classical Marble: Geochemistry, Trade (NATO ASI Series E vol. 153). pp. 207-17.
    • Pollini, J. (1987). “The Findspot of the Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta,”. Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma. (92), pp. 103-108.
    • Pollini, J. (1986). “Ahenobarbi, Appuleii and Some Others on the Ara Pacis,”. American Journal of Archaeology. (90), pp. 453-60. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1985). “The Meaning and Date of the Reverse Type of Gaius Caesar on Horseback,”. American Numismatic Society Museum Notes. (30), pp. 113-17. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1985). “Response to E. Judge’s ‘On Judging the Merits of Augustus,’”. Center for Hermeneutical Studies: Colloquy. (49), pp. 44-46. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1984). “Damnatio Memoriae in Stone: Two Portraits of Nero Recut to Vespasian in American Museums,”. American Journal of Archaeology. (88), pp. 547-55.
    • Pollini, J. (1982). “A Pre-Principate Portrait of Gaius (Caligula)?”. Journal of the Walters Art Gallery. (40), pp. 1-12. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1981). “Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and the Ravenna Relief,”. Römische Mitteilungen. Vol. 88, pp. 117-40. Online
    • Pollini, J. (1977). “A Flavian Relief Portrait in the J. Paul Getty Museum,”. Getty Museum Journal. Vol. 5, pp. 63-66. Online

    Proceedings

    • Pollini, J. (2011). The Image of Caligula: Myth and Reality. Digiltal Sculpture Project: Caligula.
    • Pollini, J. (2010). Recutting Roman Portraits: Problems in Interpretation and the New Technology in Finding Possible Solutions. pp. 23-44. Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome.
    • Pollini, J. (2008). Gods and Emperors in the East: Images of Power and the Power of Intolerance. pp. 237-285. University of Chicago.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). Imaging Antiquity. Stanford University.
    • Pollini, J. (2005). Problematics of Making Ambiguity Explicit in Virtual Reconstructions: A Case Study of the Mausoleum of Augustus. London, England.
    • Senior Fellowship at the International Morphomata Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Cologne, Germany, 2017-2018
    • National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship Recipient, awarded for the third time, 2015-2016
    • Invited Scholar in Residence at the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, 2016/05/26-2016/07/01
    • Getty Residential Scholar Grant, Fall 2015
    • Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lectureship in Archaeology (14 lectures at various venues in U.S., Canada, and Europe), 2012-2013
    • Invited Scholar in Residence at the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin , 2011/09/07-2011/11/07
    • Guggenheim Fellowship Recipient, Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, 2007-2008
    • American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship Recipient, awarded for second time, 2006-2007
    • Whitehead Professor at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 2006-2007
    • Departmental Nominee for University Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching 2002, 2002-2005
    • Mellon Foundation Award for Excellence in Mentoring, 2004-2005
    • Departmental Nominee for University Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching 1998, 1998-2001
    • Elected Life Member, German Archaeological Association, 2000
    • National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship Recipient, awarded for second time, 1995-1996
    • American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship Recipient, 1987-1988
    • National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship Recipient, 1983-1984
    • Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1978-1979
    • Fulbright Award, Fellowship to Italy, 1975-1976
  • Other Service to the University

    • Director: Visual Culture of the Ancient World (Old World, New World, Asia) (VCAW), a consortium of institutions and museums in the Los Angeles area (International Museum Institute at USC, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, Getty Research Institute, J. Paul Getty Villa Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Natural History Museum), 2010 – 2013
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