Archaeology as Propaganda: Mussolini and the Myth of Romanit

Relationship between archaeology and nationalismArtifacts are culturally satisfying and fuel national identityEspecially true for totalitarian governments that depend on unity

Case Study: Fascist Italy under Benito MussoliniUsed ancient Roman monuments to reconstruct Italian identity and prop up his own powerUrban consequences

Building a National Identity

Other European nation-states in 19th and early 20th centuries using archaeology for political agendasNapoleon in FranceBritish MuseumNazi prehistoric archaeology

Even before Mussolini, Italy starting to construct collective memory on ancient Roman pastRisorgimento chose Rome as new capitalSaw prospect of unification in romanitStarted to clear space for thoroughfares, Roman monuments, ForumOversimplification of past beginning to take root in mind of Italians

Mussolini and the Healing Pick

Shaped classical Rome that is todayProjects intended to rid ancient monuments of centuries of decadenceDemolition projects manipulate Romes history, disproportionately emphasize antiquity Mussolinis regime controls through both force and visual propagandaLink between glorious Roman past and fascist future, places fascism in Italys destinyLikened Mussolini with greatness of Augustus

Rome is our point of departure and reference; it is our symbol or, if you wish, our myth. We dream of a Roman Italy, that is wise and strong, disciplined and imperial. Much of what was the immortal spirit of Rome, resurges in Fascism: Rome is the Lictor, Roman is our organization of combat, Roman is our pride and courage.

Mussolini, Past and Future speech at Birthday of Rome celebration, 1922

Mausoleum of Augustus (1938)

Preservation by isolationDemolished all post-Roman urban fabric surrounding the mausoleumRenovated tomb to serve as temple to fascist values

Parade Route of Via dellImpero

Carved path from Palazzo Venezia to ColosseumAncient ruins to provide backdrop for fascist military celebrationsIn the process, destroyed 5000 housing units, 214,000 cubic feet of earth removedFew records kept, excavations done haphazardly

Seductive link between ancient military glory and current fascist ideals

Other propagandizing acts:

Mostra Augustea della Romanita (Augustan Exhibition of Roman Civilization)Museum of the EmpirePlanned Esposizione Universal Romana (1942)

Urban Consequences

Selective preservation, dishonest to archaeological recordAlmost no dissent from academic worldIn scholars best interests to align with regimeIgnores Romes rich urban fabric Early Christian period (churches)Middle Ages residential settlementRenaissance and Catholic ReformationPapal governments railway stations and factoriesSets up ancient Rome as urban utopia