Collection: World Histories of Archaeology

Research Papers

Rodolfo Lanciani’s Dismissal

Authors:

Abstract

This essay deals with an episode in the career of classical archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani (1845–1929), director of excavations of the Roman Forum from c. 1877 to 1886. Despite his success as a scholar and excavator, the Italian government dismissed him from the archaeological service for improprieties in 1890. The major charges against Lanciani reveal the tensions between the city of Rome and the Italian state on issues related to owning, caring for, and displaying the nation’s antiquities. Significant social, economic, and political changes in the decades after the establishment of the new nation fueled the tensions.

Keywords:

Rodolfo LancianiFelice Barnabeiclassical antiquities dealinghistory of museums of RomeArchaeological Institute of Americaarchaeological service in Rome
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 1
  • Page/Article: Art. 8
  • DOI: 10.5334/bha-592
  • Published on 29 Nov 2016
  • Peer Reviewed