In this essay I will discuss three works of art from three different periods that represent or symbolize authority and power in relation to different understandings and needs of invoking these ideas across time and cultures. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The first work is that of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, “King Menkaure and the Queen”, which is a full-size statue nature made of greywacke, a dark stone, carved meticulously and smoothly. The two stand with their arms crossed, looking forward with serene, slightly smiling faces. King Menkaoure stands stoically, his arms hugged to his body. Meanwhile, the Queen has one arm wrapped around her side and another holding her arm. They both look majestic and are depicted in a way that upholds the ideals of the time such as royal power and immortality. The king must be described as almost divine. During this period, they created figures and architecture to show their power and control and demonstrate their dominance. Egyptian government was more centralized in the Old Kingdom, so the Pharaoh had absolute power over a large workforce that he had to control. Another work that depicts power and authority is the “Head of a Roman Patrician,” which is a portrait from the Roman era. Republic and marble. His face is wrinkled, old and sagging in an exaggerated style called verismo. The portrait is a powerful depiction of a male aristocrat with a hooked nose and furrowed brows. In the Republic, the most valued traits were dedication to public service and military prowess, so citizens of this era sought to protect these ideals through their depiction in portraits. Roman patricians used verismo in their portraits to express their life experience, seriousness, and virtue so that they could compete in the political arena of the Republic. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The last work I'm going to discuss is "Augustus of Primaporta", an early Roman statue of Augustus himself depicted ideally and as a powerful leader. It is a freestanding marble statue in a contrapposto pose in his military armor and with his arm outstretched as if addressing his troops. This shows his ability to be both a military leader and a conqueror. He is depicted as young and impeccable, muscular and perfect, that is, idealized. Augustus relates himself to a Greek athlete and models himself on Polykleitos' Doryphoros to connect to the Golden Age, a time when Athens had great power and influence. The statue has even more to offer: a Cupid riding a dolphin by its right leg. The dolphin is a symbol of Augustus' great naval victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Love says that Augustus is descended from the gods. Cupid is the son of Venus who is the goddess of love. Julius Caesar, Augustus' adoptive father, claimed descent from Venus and Augustus therefore shares this connection with the gods. The final factor in this piece that shows Augustus' power as a military leader is his propaganda-filled breastplate signifying that he has the gods on his side and that he is the bearer of the Pax Romana, a peace that spread throughout Rome..