EMPEROR OF THE DAY: AUGUSTUS Reign: 27BC 14AD Achievements: - First Emperor - Established Roman Peace that lasted 200 years - Found Rome as Bricks, left it marble - Used to be called Octavian Ara Pacis Augustae (The Altar of Augustan Peace) 13-9BC When I returned from Spain and Gaul, in the consulship of Tiberius Nero and Publius Quintilius, after successful operations in those provinces, the senate voted in honour of my return the consecration of an altar to Pax Augusta in the Campus Martius, and on this altar it ordered the magistrates and priests and Vestal virgins to make annual sacrifice. Augustus Res Gestae Divi Augusti The Basics Materials: Travertine (foundations), Marble (building), Tufa (altar) Location: Campus Martius (Field of Mars) in Rome Why? To commemorate Augustus return from Gaul and Spain Who? The Senate and the People of Rome (SPQR) East West = 10.5m Height = 6.1m Nth-Sth = 11.6m Exterior The upper level is covered in: Relief sculptures featuring mythological/heroic characters. Reliefs featuring Augustus royal family and senators of Rome. The lower level features: Relief sculptures featuring acanthus plants (the symbols of Augustus reign) and symbols of fertility such as flowers, birds, insects and snakes. Exterior west side Exterior east side Exterior East side All that remains of Roma Symbolism west side Symbolism: 1.Relates to founding of city of Rome 2.Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor 3.Connects Romans to gods (Mars) Symbolism - west side Symbolism: 1.Relates to founding of Roman race 2.Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor 3.Highlights Romans devotion to gods Symbolism east side Symbolism: 1.Children, vegetation and animals symbolise fertility and prosperity 2.Two women (wind and water) symbolise the elements in harmony. Symbolism East side All that remains of Roma Symbolism: 1.Roma is in a peaceful pose Augustus has brought peace 2.She still has her weapons, ready to fight South Side Frieze This Priest has distinctive headgear. The mood is serious and dignified, shows importance and piety of those pictured. Augustus son-in-law Agrippa, with his head covered in priestly style. Augustus also appears, but is in a poor state of repair. The children are a symbol of hope for the future and fertility. This is Gaius, a grandson of Augustus North Side Frieze Senators and officials with their wives and children. They wear and carry symbols of their authority and piety - wreathes, incense boxes, fasces (rods of office). Sculptural Techniques Things to look for: 1.Depth 2.Movement 3.Pose 4.Drapery 5.Mood Sculptural Techniques Things to look for: 1.Depth 2.Movement 3.Pose 4.Drapery 5.Mood Sculptural Techniques Things to look for: 1.Depth 2.Movement 3.Pose 4.Drapery 5.Mood Sculptural Techniques Things to look for: 1.Depth 2.Movement 3.Pose 4.Drapery 5.Mood Interior