Roman art grows out of Etruscan art, and at first it is a lot
like Etruscan art. Because of this, it has a close relationship
to Greek art as well. Roman art as a type of its own really gets
going around 500 BC with the beginning of the Roman Republic.
Roman people were particularly interested in portraiture: in
making statues that really looked like one particular person,
especially a famous person. Greek people were more interested in
ideals: what is the most beautiful man? what is the most
athletic man? But the Romans were more interested in reality.
For some general books about Roman art, check out these from
Amazon.com or from your library: Ancient Roman Art, by Susie
Hodge (1998). For kids. Roman Art: Romulus to Constantine, by
Nancy and Andrew Ramage (4th Edition 2004). The standard
textbook. A Coloring Book of Ancient Rome, from Bellerophon
Books (1988). For kids. BILL OF RIGHTS WHAT IS BC OR AD?