Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Question 1

When was the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias constructed

Answer 1

In the time of Tiberius

Question 2

What kind of source is th Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 2

A physical legacy source

Question 3

What is the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 3

It is a physical source made of 3 panels

Question 4

What are the 3 panels that make up the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 4

• Augustus with Nike
• Anchises with Venus at the birth of Aeneas
• Creusa, Aeneas and Ascanius

Question 5

Descibe the Aeneas with Nike panel of the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Not Augustus’ portrayal

Answer 5

• Augustus and Nike hold up the enemies armour - spoils of war.
• At their (Augustus + Nike) feet is a man with his hands bound behind him - he is the defeated/ captured enemies of Rome

Question 6

Descibe Augustus on the Augustus and Nike panel of the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 6

• Augustus is depicted as a classical greek hero; nude - the only remaining Rome-ness is his hair and stoic expression.
• At his side is an eagle - a symbol of Jupiter’s support
• portrayed as a strong military leader with a military cloak over one shoulder and in his right hand he holds a spear or a standard (now lost) and in his left hand he holds the spoils of war with Nike
• depicted youthfully - divinity - perpetual youth

Question 7

What kind of leader is Augustus portrayed as in the Augustus and Nike panel of the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 7

A successful military leader

Question 8

How successfully has Augustus controlled his legacy

Answer 8

Could be interpreted as succesful:
- shown as a strong military leader
- He set himself on track to be a god and is now depicted nude - like one

However could be interpreted as unsuccessful:
- he may have wanted to be seen as like a god as he is in the peices of propaganda he controlled - ‘like’ vs ‘is’ a god

Question 9

Why is Nike and Augustus holding up armour in the Augustus and Nike panel of the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 9

the armour represents the spoils of war which was a common and important practice to take the enemy’s armour and weapons

Question 10

Describe the Creusa, Aeneas and Ascanius panel of the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias

Answer 10

Aeneas is (possibly) carrying Anchises and leading Ascanius away from Troy with Creusa following behind.
It is the famous scene from the Aeneid
Only Anchises logs can be seen and Ascanius is missing his head and hands

Question 11

Is the Aeneas, Ascanius and Creusa panel of the Sebasteian at Aphrodisias a successful legacy source

Answer 11

• It demonstrates filial piety so Augustus successfully kept his ideas/ values around
• encourages ancestor worship so Augustus successful kept his ideas/ values around