AGO OF //, 5 / DEN REPRESENTATION AUGUSTAN ROME. \\\INTRODUCTION Divine Deeds, Pax Romana, and the Ara Pacis Emperor Augustus, was keen on creating a symbol of his Rome that would outlive him ] “> that symbot = Ara Pacis There is an unspoken obligation to create a ‘monumental legacy as the first Emperor of Rome. ‘Wete talking a totally glossy, romanticized, ‘Ara Pacis Augustae, West Facade, Steven Zucker bias version of his life and his Rome, 4) Begins with: Res Gestae Divi Augusti Hes ern the ir iS A FORM OF eee PROPAGNDA Uy and began with Augustus PROM OT ES Big takeaway heres thatthe Ara Pacs AUGUSTUS, HIS POLICIES, Feaneaialty enone AND ASSERTS HIS Tieee ny ace ae Ce Parente ~ A sropaonda and Pepe PRACTICAL AND PARTICIPATORY MANNER The Ara Pacis is the physical representation aca IT SHOWS THAT A MAN ee LIKE AUGUSTUS IS THE Tee eeeeeereeems ANSWER TO ROME. i ee AUGUSTIAN ROME WAS THE ANSWER. Ly distant past ‘Augustan present Immediate future of RomeAvGUSTAE The History of Rome and Augustus _Vv These two panels begin this narrative of glory with the founding of Rome Beginning here means heralding in the Golden Age and builds trust in what the Ar Pacis represents. ‘Aeneas Sacrificing to the Penates, Steven Zucker Golden and godly place? Ding, ding, we have another example! This panel also shows the divine origins of Rome, which also greatly asserts the power of Augustus. ‘Aeneas signifies the start of the bloodline from which Augustus originates. What does this have to do with his power? The she-wolf was once depicted here with Romulus and Remus. This scene is so Well. everything. This sa prime justification important because it represents the of power because it shows that Augustus beginning of Rome... literally. comes form the single most important bloodline in Roman history. This scene itselfis a physical portrayal of Rome, The sactifice here also sanctifies the space. It creates a boundary that this site is sacred in Mars and Faustulus are also present, and structure, what it represents, and the actual they seem to be looking at Romulus sactifice that occurs inside as well ‘and Remus with great pleasure. What does this mean? Well, it basically gives THE COMBINATION OF light to the “auspicious” beginnings of Rome. REPRESENTING. THE HISTORIC BLOODLINE AND Also, itis suggested that the prominence of RELIGION IS SMART Mars on these two panels represents the AND EFFICIENT. chorus (or: the twins ve e blood) that runs through is. Why is thisimportant? — Italludes to divinity running through the very beginnings of Rome, and therefore it was a godly place that was made for success.‘These show the abundance in Augustan Rome, not only of food and other resources, but itis symbolic of fertility and prosperity inevery aspect of life These motifs are also depicted in a balanced way, each intricate, scrol-ike motif of vegetation as perfect and exact as the other. There are a multitude of animals and floral forms shown here—both real and imagined plant species. The imagination and balance used on the exterior lower frieze allude to the earthly paradise Augustus was attempting to create. IT PROMOTES Pee ere Gece ALTAR SPACE THESE PANELS, WERE, SURROUNDED PROTECTING THIS IDEALIZED WORLD. THE RELIEF PANELS Flora and Fauna Positioned below these exterior panels isa continuous nature-centered frieze. ‘They provide a peaceful setting for the historical panels above and strengthen the "idyllic qualities of the space” Atfirst, they may come offas simple as an. ‘aesthetically pleasing addition to the ‘monument, but there is a more complex ‘explanation for their presence. wai cre Detail of Floral Scroll Motifs, Steven Zucker The iconography of the exterior friezes cultivated the essence of the Golden Age ‘while the interior reliefs and decoration make Augustus’ “dream’ Rome a reality. It gives the spectator a sense of peace in this. ‘world, providing the perfect setting for a religious experience, This is important since the primary function was to be an altar space, not usta pretty monument to look at!ie FUNCTION Interior Reliefs and the Altar Space Positioned below these exterior panels is a continuous nature-centered frieze. They provide a peaceful setting for the historical panels above and strengthen the “idyllic qualities ofthe space” At first, they may come offas simple as an aesthetically pleasing addition to the monument, but there is a more complex ‘explanation for their presence. The idealized Rome and promises of prosperity, seen on the exterior continue within the walls on this fence-like structure of garlands and bull heads. Abunch of fruits = harmonious, year-long growth = divinity, unity, peace in the Golden Age of Augustus which means... ‘an image of undeniable holiness for Augustus through these images of bounty and the presence within this sacrificial space! These reliefs evokes feelings of sacredness surrounding the bulls role in a sactifice, Inaddition to this this is avery functional way to reinstil the religious values that AUGUSTAE Interior Angle, Interior of Perimeter Wall, Garland with Skulls, Steven Zucker Role of Religion and Politics ‘Added emphasis on sacrificial ritual helping establish the hierarchy of social relations This plays well nto the elitist aspects of the ‘Ara Pacis and its naturally political nature. Religion and politics were two sides of the same coin, and the different relief panels show this. Augustus sought to do. For example, the lower frieze of the exterior also signifies the sacredness of the We monument and its role in Roman Religion; Processional Relief with Sacrificial Animals, Steven Zucker the spectator understands the overall function of the Ara Pacis without ever having to step foot inside the altar space. SETH} ACTUAL MANIFESTATION OF THE GOLDEN AGE LIES WITHIN THE INTERIOR SPACE OF THE ARA PACISAUGUSTAE EXE, Sh, TOS rs BEG yng CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ‘A Manifestation of Augustinian Rome Itis crucial to understand that without the ‘Ara Pacis and its extensive iconography, there would be a lack of tangibilty in regards to the Golden Age! Itisa narrative of complete harmony, religious piety, and leadership stability, and that asserts a certain level of power and importance to the monument . Itisa detailed account of Rome's story and ‘Augustus’ story, perfectly intermingled with ‘one another. Itis crucial to understand that without the ‘Ara Pacis and its extensive iconography, there would be a lack of tangibilty in regards to the Golden Agel Itisa narrative of complete harmony, religious piety, and leadership stabil that asserts a certain level of power and importance to the monument. It is a detailed account of Rome's story and ‘Augustus’ story, perfectly intermingled with one another. The images presented on the Ara Pacis are immortalized in the marble, giving evidence to the Golden Age, forever giving a certain connotation to Augustan Rome. It creates a space that does not abide by time. ‘There will always be aspects of the past, present, and future within the monument. It takes the history of Rome to help create the present history and its narrative for future generations. Even today spectators can still get a sense of what the Ara Pacis has represented through- out every era, even if some of the meanings are sill lost to present culture. itis the legacy of the Golden Age.