Roman Art & ArchitectureAra Pacis‘Altar of Augustan Peace’13-9 B.C.

Ara Pacis‘Altar of Augustan Peace’13-9 B.C.

• Propaganda Architecture – Used for annual sacrifice of Thanksgiving for Peace brought by Augustus.

• Symbolised new age of Prosperity, Peace, Fertility

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Introduction• It is built in the Field of Mars (Campus Martius)• It is made all of marble from Italy• Relief sculpture is raised stone silhouette. It is produced

by carving away the background.• It is meant to be seen and its function is to inform.• Mix of human and divine imagery. • It was created in honour of Augustus after he pacified

the Gauls and Spaniards. It was a gesture of public thanks and was dedicated on 30th January 9 B.C

Layout

EAST

WEST

SOUTHNORTH 9 Stairs

ALTAR

The outer wall is called the precinct.

Altar raised and faces due east.

Lower Register Precinct (outer wall)

• Is decorated all the way around with a floral scene of swirling tendrils that finish in Acanthus leaves. Petals, lizards, snakes, birds, scenes from nature. Intricate detail. Panel appears alive. (all references to abundance and fertility)• In several places a swan takes pride of place. • The swan is sacred to Apollo who is Augustus’

patron diety.

Lower Register Precinct (outer wall)

Inside Wall Lower Register• Wood symbolises the enclosure around the Ara Pacis while it

was being built.

Upper Register, inside Wall Precint

• Bulls heads (bucrania), garlands, Patera (Paterae, sacrificial bowls). These may represent a sacrifice at the dedication of the altar.

• Garlands which adorn the bulls heads have fruit from all 4 season to signify that Augustan peace is present through the whole year.

Precinct, Upper Register, West Side

Precinct, Upper Register, West Side

• Pannel 1• Aeneas, Iulus, Lares and Penates (household gods in the shrine).

They link back to Aeneas and the fall of Troy.• Aeneas wears vail to symbolise piety.• Aeneas sacrficing the Lavinian sow to the Lares and Penates. The

Lavinian sow myth is one of the foundation myths of Rome. This frieze is destined to link Augustus to divine ancestry and piety.

• Pannel 2• Fragmentary • Another foundation myth of Rome. Romulus and Remus suckling

the shewolf. Mars, their father, looks on.

Augustus, as Pontifex Maximus, would have had access to the Temple of Vesta where the Penates were kept. Thus a symbolic association is made between Augustus and Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome.

Alternative Reading• King Numa was the 2nd king of Rome.• One of Numa's first acts was the construction of a temple of

Janus as an indicator of peace and war• After securing peace with Rome's neighbours, the doors of the

temples were shut and remained so for all the duration of Numa's reign, a unique case in Roman history.

Precinct, Upper Register, West Side

• Both panels are linked:• Show animal and the implication for Rome of their discovery• Foundation myths (mythological subject matter)• R & R divinity suggests Rome's divinity. Aeneas connects

Augustus with divine heritage.

Precinct, Upper Frieze, East Side

Precinct, Upper Frieze, East Side

Tellus Relief

• The central figure is Mother Earth, voluptuous and very fertile. (full breasts) This represents new life, peace and all things good about the Roman empire.

• Tellus sits on a Rocky outcrop amidst nature. She holds two chubby infants who appear healthy.

• Drapery is billowy and body can be seen underneath.

•Tellus has fruits and grains in her lap, well fed livestock.

•Two maidens with their cloaks billowing represent salt water (dragon) and fresh water (swan). Reign spreads over whole world (seas)

•There has been controversy over whether this is actually Tellus or the goddess Pax (peace), who would be surrounded by the bounty of Augustan Peace.

Precinct, Upper Frieze, East Side

Precinct, Upper Frieze, East Side

Precinct, Upper Frieze, East Side• Pannel 2• Roma, Goddess enthroned on a pile of weapons.• Too Fragmented.

Precinct, Upper Frieze, South Side

• Procession of either 9 B.C. dedication or 13 B.C. inauggaration.• Symbolic procession of religious representative and imperial

family.• Augustus had his head shrouded (piety) links with Aeneas on

W.S. He’s conducting a sacrifice.• Priests with candles on their heads (flamines).• Augustus’ family led by Agrippa who dies in 12 B.C., his wife

Lavinia and daughter Julia. This is an idea of strong family representing his political ideaology of children = wealth. Large families were provided with a tax incentive, unmarried adults were penalised. Children represent public faith in the Julio-Claudian destiny.• Height of figures are varied, this draws the observers eye up

and down the procession, adding interest.

Precinct, Upper Frieze, South Side

Precinct, Upper Frieze, North Side

• Senators wearing wreaths and members of Rome’s most important priesthoods.

• End of procession standing slightly apart from the group is women and children, minor members of Augustus’ family.

Precinct, Upper Frieze, North Side

Altar• Facing due east• Central section is fragmentary: maybe goddess Pax and other

gods and goddesses gathered to receive sacrifice.• Raised ends: vestal virgins and their servants. Animal being led

to sacrifice.• Probably two narratives: the sacrifice and rituals that take

place at the altar.

Tellus is Mother Earth, likes peace and is surrounded by all creatures

Four symbols of fertility from the east side: - water - children - Fruit/vegetaion/animals - Mother Earth The main message behind the Ara Pacis is peace and

harmony to all in the Roman Empire. The Emperor is great to bring this peace.

Again on the North side we see a Historical procession. Augustus himself is present is represented as a pious person, with his head bowed as if he is about to conduct a libation/prayer

Aeneas – the founder of Rome Through war Rome was founded. Augustus wouldn’t have

his peace without War.