Discuss the artistic patronage of significant political leaders from ancient Rome through the late medieval period. Discuss at least five political leaders or dynasties from different periods and highlight their use of works of art. Examples might include Roman emperors, Umayyad and Nasrid rulers, Carolingian and Ottonian rulers, as well as French kings. What were some of the political and/or spiritual functions of the works of art and architecture that they commissioned? How did rulers use works of art to strengthen and sustain their political power?
