Final answer:
Roman artists deviated from Greeks' portrayals due to cultural differences and a desire to assert their identity. Even though influenced by the Greeks, Romans transformed Greek classics into creations that reflected their values and traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason Roman artists diverged from Greeks' portrayals of mythological events and heroes is that Roman culture was significantly different, even though it was heavily influenced by the Greeks. Roman art tends to lean more towards the realistic and utilitarian, as opposed to the Greek preference for idealistic representations.
During the Classical period, Greek artists modeled their work on the cultures of Phoenicia and Egypt to produce heavily stylized depictions. They focused on creating lifelike representations that depicted realistic scenes from myths and daily life. Consequently, Greek art became uniquely realist with attention to the ideal human form.
Conversely, Romans, while impressed by Greek culture, were determined to assert their identity. Roman art, hence is viewed as a variety of and a response to Greek art. Their regard for Greek culture prompted a unique spin on their artwork, allowing them to transform Greek classics into creations that showcased Roman values and traditions. For instance, while they welcomed Greek’s realist style, they added features that reflected their culture, hence creating a new artistic style.
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