In this essay I will discuss three artworks from three different time periods that represent or symbolize authority and power in relation to different understandings and needs to invoke these ideas across time and cultures. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The first work is that of the Ancient Kingdom of Egypt, “King Menkaure and Queen,” which is a life-size statue made of greywacke, a dark stone, carved meticulously without a snag. The two stand with their arms intertwined and look forward with serene, slightly smiling faces. King Menkaure stands stoically with his arms clasped at his sides. Meanwhile the queen has one arm wrapped around his side and another holding his arm. Both look majestic and are portrayed in a way that upholds the ideals of that time such as royal power and immortality. The King must be represented almost like a god. During this period they created figures and architecture to show power and control and demonstrate their dominance. In the Old Kingdom the Egyptian government was more centralized so the Pharaoh had absolute power over a large workforce that he had to keep in line. Another work that represents power and authority is the "Head of a Roman Patrician" which is a portrait from the Roman Republic era and made of marble. His face is wrinkled, old and sagging in an exaggerated style called realism. The portrait is a powerful depiction of a male aristocrat with a hooked nose and furrowed brow. In the Republic the most prized traits were devotion to public service and military prowess, so citizens of that time sought to protect these ideals through their representation in portraiture. Roman patricians used realism in their portraits to express their life experience, seriousness and virtue in order to compete in the political arena of the Republic. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay The last work I will talk about is "Augustus of Primaporta", an early Roman statue of Augustus himself represented ideally and as a powerful leader. It is a free-standing marble statue in a contrapposto pose in his military armor and with his arm outstretched as if addressing his troops. This demonstrates his ability to be a military leader as well as a conqueror. He is portrayed as young and flawless, muscular and perfect, that is, idealized. Augustus relates to a Greek athlete and models himself on Polykleitos' Doryphoros to connect to the golden age, when Athens had great power and influence. The statue has even more: a cupid riding a dolphin by the right leg. The dolphin is the symbol of Augustus' great naval victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Cupid says that Augustus is descended from the gods. Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love. Julius Caesar, Augustus' adoptive father, claimed descent from Venus and therefore Augustus shares this connection with the gods. The last factor in this piece that shows Augustus' power as a military leader is his armor which is full of propaganda, meaning that he has the gods on his side and that he is the bringer of the Pax Romana, a peace that spreads throughout Rome..