Valerio Massimo e l'arte greca

This article focuses on the analysis and interpretation of the main passages in which Valerius Maximus, in his monumental Factorum et dictorum memorabilium libri IX, dwells on figurative art. A significant reticence will emerge in mentioning Roman figurative art. On the contrary, Valerius Maximus concentrates on examples of Greek figurative art, whose condemnation, which fits into the well-known natura vs ars dichotomy, could respond not only to the intention of demonstrating the superiority of literature over art, but could also conceal political implications, in the light of the penchant of the emperor Tiberius, a well-known collector of lascivious subjects, for Greek art.