AUGUSTUS
Reign: 27BC – 14AD
“On my return from Spain and Gaul in the consulship of Tiberius Nero and Publius Quintilius [13
B.C.E.] after successfully arranging affairs in those provinces, the senate resolved that an altar of the
Augustan Peace should be consecrated next to the Campus Martius in honor of my return, and
ordered that the magistrates and priests and Vestal Virgins should perform an annual sacrifice
there....By new laws passed on my proposal I brought back into use many exemplary practices of our
ancestors which were disappearing in our time, and in many ways I myself transmitted exemplary
practices to posterity for their imitation”
(Acts of the Divine Augustus (2.2; 8.5).
Achievements:
- First Emperor
- Established Roman Peace that lasted 200 years throughout the empire
- “Found Rome as Bricks, left it marble”
- the archetypal emperor whom all his successors (through to Napoleon) set as the
standard.
Ara Pacis Augustae
(The Altar of Augustan Peace)
13-9BC
Travertine
(foundations),
Marble
Tufa
ThisMaterials:
was particularly
important
to the Romans
who (building),
had witnessed
the(altar)
instability of the Civil Wars that marked the
end Location:
of the Republican
Augustan
peace
extended
throughout
the Roman/civilized
TheRome’s
theme of peace
Campusperiod.
Martius
(Field of
Mars
–just outside
the precincts
of Rome world.
– where
is intertwined
on the altar
themes
of the
dynastic claims
of the were
family many
of Augustus,
his monuments)
social policy, and the
armies, forbidden
towith
enter
the city,
assembled,
and there
religious
importance of religion as a civilizing force.
Why? To commemorate Augustus’ return from Gaul and Spain
Who? The Senate and the People of Rome (SPQR)
Nth-Sth =
11.6m
Height
6.1m
East
West =
10.5m
Exterior
The upper level is covered in friezes (relief sculptures) of:
The form of the altar is a large precinct wall that encloses the altar itself. Doors in the middle of the
•Mythological
(back):
Tellus
(fruitsprovide
of peace)
and Roma
(Victory)
east (back) and
west
(front)
access
to the
altar. The source for the form of the altar suggests
close
parallels
to
the
fifth
century
BC
Altar
of
the
Twelve
the
Agora in Athens.
•Heroic founders of Rome (front): Aeneas (piety for traditions) andGods
Mars in
with
Remus/Romulus
(war)This is one of the
many links connecting this Roman work to Greek and especially Athenian mid-fifth century monuments.
•Augustus’ royal family (right).
•Senators of Rome (left). These two processions show more Greek influence, based on the friezes on the Parthenon
in Athens, subject, and drapery
E
N
S
W
The lower level features:
•Relief sculptures in a design featuring acanthus plants (the symbols of Augustus’ reign) tied up with symbols of fertility
such as flowers, birds, insects and snakes. (based on 4th, 5th century Greek designs)
Exterior upper frieze – Front left (NW)
The left hand panel is poorly preserved. It represents Mars and the twin
Symbolism:
Romulus and Remus. Mars as the war god articulates the role war plays
1. establishing
Relates to founding
ofMars
city of
Rome
in the
of peace.
was
understood to be the father of
2.
Connects
Augustus
to
his
famous
Romulus, the founder of Rome. As statedancestor
in the prophesy from the
3.
Connects
Romans
to
gods
(Mars)
Aeneid, Romulus was understood to be an ancestor of Augustus.
Exterior upper frieze – Front right (SW)
This relief represents another important ancestor of Augustus with the image of Aeneas Sacrificing.
He is shown making an offering to the household gods. Aeneas is accompanied by his son JulusAscanius.
Augustus
would have wanted to be linked to his legendary ancestor Aeneas, the pater (father) of the
Symbolism:
Julian
and the
tradition.
1. family
Relates
toRoman
founding
of Roman race
Aeneas' piety testifies to his respect for his family traditions just as the altar testifies to the piety of
2. Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor
Augustus.
3. is
Highlights
Romans’
devotion
gods
Aeneas
shown offering
the sacrifice
of the sowto
in the
Ara Pacis relief. The sow is a reference to a
prophesy in Virgil's Aeneid that the hero would find a sow under an oak tree when he arrived in
Latium.
The two panels on the west side of the altar, seen together, allude to two dominant
functions of Augustus: as imperator (leader of army=Mars) and pontifex maximus (chief
Exterior – Back right (NE): Roma
All that
remains of
Roma
The panel on the northeast side is very fragmentary.
Symbolism:
Its
subject was the seated figure of Roma with arms at her feet
1. Roma is in
a peaceful
pose –
Augustus
peace
(symbolising
Rome’s
disarming
her
enemieshas
andbrought
bringing
Augustan peace
still has her
ready
tohave
fightbeen identified as the
)2.
andShe
accompanied
byweapons,
two figures
who
personifications of Honos (Honor) and Virtus (Virtue).
It is significant to note the links between the two north panels on the
east and west ends as focusing on military and war while the southern
panels reflect more peaceful pursuits.
Exterior – Back left (SE): Goddess Tellus (mother earth)
Corinthian
pilasters
On the southeast side is the so-called Tellus panel.
This is the personification of Earth.
Symbolism:
figure vegetation
is sometimes
as Italia, or
Italy. peace and prosperity
1. The
Children,
andidentified
animals symbolise
fertility,
children
in her lap
along
with the
animals the
andelements
plants allude
2. The
Twotwo
women
(sea/water
and
wind/air)
symbolise
in to
the
bounty–of
earth,
especially
in an era of peace.
harmony
peace
thanks
to Augustus.
She is flanked by female figures with billowing mantles that can be
identified as sea and land breezes.
Right (South) Frieze – Imperial family
This Priest is recognisable due to his
distinctive headdress.
The Procession is serious and
dignified, shows importance and
piety of those pictured.
Tiberius, son
of Augustus’
wife Livia,
succeeded
him as his
heirs all died
prematurely.
Julia, Daughter of Augustus, wife
of Agrippa, and mother of Gaius.
Agrippa, Augustus’ friend, & son-in-law is
pictured in the centre, with his head covered
in priestly style. Augustus also appears, but is
in a poor state of repair.
Augustus’ grandson, Gaius. The
children are a symbol of hope for the
future and fertility.
Left (North) Frieze: Senators
Senators and officials are shown, with their wives and children. They wear
and carry symbols of their authority and piety, such as wreathes, incense
boxes, fasces (rods of office).
Interior (altar)
Small frieze of a sacrificial procession depicting Vestal virgins, animals attendants
Interior walls
Symbols of sacrifice - garlands, skulls, libations.