Transcript Things to look for

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)
Nth-Sth =
11.6m
Height
= 6.1m
East West = 10.5m
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 – west side
Exterior – west side
Exterior – east side
Exterior – East side
All that
remains of
Roma
Symbolism – west side
Symbolism:
1.
2.
3.
Relates to founding of city of Rome
Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor
Connects Romans to gods (Mars)
Symbolism - west side
Symbolism:
1.
2.
3.
Relates to founding of Roman race
Connects Augustus to his famous ancestor
Highlights Romans’ devotion to gods
Symbolism – east side
Symbolism:
1.
2.
Children, vegetation and animals symbolise fertility and prosperity
Two women (wind and water) symbolise the elements in harmony.
Symbolism – East side
All that
remains of
Roma
Symbolism:
1.
2.
Roma is in a peaceful pose – Augustus has brought peace
She still has her weapons, ready to fight
South Side Frieze
This Priest has distinctive
headgear.
Augustus’ son-in-law Agrippa, with his
head covered in priestly style. Augustus
also appears, but is in a poor state of
repair.
The mood is serious and dignified,
shows importance and piety of those
pictured.
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).
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
Sculptural Techniques
Interior
Interior
Interior