ara pacis Flashcards
(48 cards)
what are the 5 stories shown
roma, tellus relief, historical procession, rome’s divine origin, aeneas arriving from troy
when was the ara pacis made
13-9BC
another name for the ara paicis augustae
the altar of augustan peace
location of the ara pacis
campus martius (field of mars) an area of political and military significance
why was the location important
the entrance is turned away from campus martius so in order to enter you must turn your back on preparations of war, symbolises entering a place of peace
what is it made of
travertine for foundation, marble for buildings, tufa the altar all accessible materials
why was the ara pacis made
celebrating peace commemorating augustus’ successful campaigns in hispania and gaul establishing peace between the mediterranean
significance of the ara pacis
dedicated to the peace and prosperity that the reign of Emperor Caesar Augustus had brought to Rome. Shows augustus’ life
function
yearly sacrifice of goddess of peace called pax. believed to ensure livelihood of rome
who performed the sacrifices
performed by magistrates priests and vestgal virgins
propaganda
symbols of peace, prosperity, fertility and piety the new augustan age
4 mythological reliefs of the ara pacis
roma (personification of rome), romulus and remus, tellus, and aeneas
sacrifice panel, the mythological panel of a bearded man making a sacrifice (aeneas)
scene depicts trojan hero aeneas arriving in italy making sacrifice to juno. aeneas founder of the romans, romulus founder of rome and augustus founder of pax romana.
tellus panel (or pax), scene of a seated female goddess amid the fertility of italy
scene of human fertility and natural abundance. tw babies sitting on her lap, surrounding women personify natural abundance of land and sea breeze. theme stresses harmony and abundance of italy. augstus restoring peaceful state to the romans. sense of harmony, peace, fertility
lavinian sow (part of aeneas panel)
aeneas landing on coast of latium, he saw premonitions coming true, white sow that he chased and gave birth to 30 piglets. sacrifices the animal the same spot where lavinium was founded. scene interprets book 8 aeneid written few years prior
rome’s divine origin panel (romulus and remus)
depicts romulus and remus suckling from a she wolf the sacred animal of mars their father. divine lineage of augustus aeneas and romulus. altar shows rome’s divine origin. shows
the lupercal
cave at the foot of palatine hill consecrated to mars and faunus lupercus. augustus restored it the same time of building ara pacis thus reviving ancient ritual reminding people of his piety
historial procession panel
shows august’s extended family and his future dynasty. front of procession includes prists and his family
how do we know they are priests on the historical procession panel
thanks to their distinctive spiked headdress
roma panel
shows that rome is ready for war whenever. roma sitting on weapons as a sign of peace but still armed and ready for war
how does the ara pacis show symbols of peace
roma sitting on the weapons,
ox and tellus symbolising peace,
the position of the ara pacis, turning your back on war
augustus starting a new peaceful golden age like aeneas founded the romans
how does the ara pacis symbolise prosperity
tellus
rich vegetation
family and senators going to sacrifice
acanthus symbol of regeneration
aeneas/augustus creating a new peaceful golden age
acanthus
a plant that symbolises regeneration
how is fertility symbolised in the ara pacis
tellus
babies
she wolf
emperor’s family
floral designs, birds and snake, symbols of fertility including acanthus
