AUGUSTUSReign: 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

This was particularly important to the Romans who had witnessed the instability of the Civil Wars that marked the end of the Republican period. Augustan peace extended throughout the Roman/civilized world. The theme of peace is intertwined on the altar with themes of the dynastic claims of the family of Augustus, his social policy, and the importance of religion as a civilizing force.

Height 6.1m

East West = 10.5m

Nth-Sth = 11.6m

Materials: Travertine (foundations), Marble (building), Tufa (altar)

Location: Campus Martius (Field of Mars –just outside the precincts of Rome – where Rome’s armies, forbidden to enter the city, assembled, and there were many religious monuments)

Why? To commemorate Augustus’ return from Gaul and Spain

Who? The Senate and the People of Rome (SPQR)

ExteriorThe upper level is covered in friezes (relief sculptures) of:

•Mythological (back): Tellus (fruits of peace) and Roma (Victory)

•Heroic founders of Rome (front): Aeneas (piety for traditions) and Mars with Remus/Romulus (war)

•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

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 4 th, 5th century Greek designs)

The form of the altar is a large precinct wall that encloses the altar itself. Doors in the middle of the east (back) and west (front) provide access to the altar. The source for the form of the altar suggests close parallels to the fifth century BC Altar of the Twelve Gods in the Agora in Athens. This is one of the many links connecting this Roman work to Greek and especially Athenian mid-fifth century monuments.

WN

SE

Exterior upper frieze – Front left (NW)

Symbolism:1. Relates to founding of city of Rome2. Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor3. Connects Romans to gods (Mars)

The left hand panel is poorly preserved. It represents Mars and the twin Romulus and Remus. Mars as the war god articulates the role war plays in the establishing of peace. Mars was understood to be the father of Romulus, the founder of Rome. As stated in the prophesy from the Aeneid, Romulus was understood to be an ancestor of Augustus.

Exterior upper frieze – Front right (SW)

Symbolism:1. Relates to founding of Roman race2. Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor3. Highlights Romans’ devotion to gods

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 Julus-Ascanius.Augustus would have wanted to be linked to his legendary ancestor Aeneas, the pater (father) of the Julian family and the Roman tradition. Aeneas' piety testifies to his respect for his family traditions just as the altar testifies to the piety of Augustus.Aeneas is shown offering the sacrifice of the sow 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 priest=Aeneas).

Exterior – Back right (NE): Roma

All that remains of Roma

Symbolism:1. Roma is in a peaceful pose – Augustus has brought peace2. She still has her weapons, ready to fight

The panel on the northeast side is very fragmentary. Its subject was the seated figure of Roma with arms at her feet (symbolising Rome’s disarming her enemies and bringing Augustan peace ) and accompanied by two figures who have been identified as the 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)

Symbolism:1. Children, vegetation and animals symbolise fertility, peace and

prosperity2. Two women (sea/water and wind/air) symbolise the elements in harmony

– peace thanks to Augustus.

Corinthian pilasters

On the southeast side is the so-called Tellus panel. This is the personification of Earth. The figure is sometimes identified as Italia, or Italy. The two children in her lap along with the animals and plants allude to the bounty of earth, especially in an era of peace. She is flanked by female figures with billowing mantles that can be identified as sea and land breezes.

Right (South) Frieze – Imperial familyThis Priest is recognisable due to his distinctive headdress.

The Procession is serious and dignified, shows importance and piety of those pictured.

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.

Julia, Daughter of Augustus, wife of Agrippa, and mother of Gaius.

Tiberius, son of Augustus’ wife Livia, succeeded him as his heirs all died prematurely.

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.