Final answer:
Roman figural sculpture is distinguished from Greek figural sculpture by its realism, particularly veristic portraiture, which captures hyper-realistic facial features and expressions as opposed to the Greek idealization of forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
One characteristic that distinguishes Roman figural sculpture from Greek figural sculpture is realism. Roman artists focused on veristic portraiture, which involves a hyper-realistic portrayal of the subject's facial characteristics. This technique contrasts with ancient Greek sculpture, which often idealized and combined the most attractive features of various models to create a 'perfect' form. While Greek sculpture exemplified idealistic human forms, Roman sculpture developed its own style, encompassing expressive faces and a sense of individuality that captured real life.
The adoption of Hellenistic techniques by Roman sculptors also brought a flair for the dramatic and the emotional. This was reflected in their art, which went beyond idealization and began to capture a wide array of human emotions and expressions, from determination to despair.