Ara Pacis

Created by

Arina Ochotnikova

Cards (23)

What did the Ara Pacis symbolise?
Peace and prosperity
How did Augustus promote himself through the Ara Pacis?
Showed that he was a leader capable of maintaining peace and stability in the empire
Who was it commissioned by?
the senate
When was it built?
9BC
What is it made out of?
Marble
Where was it originally located?
North-east corner of Campus Martius
What do the friezes depict?
Augustus ideal Roman civil religion
What is on the North frieze?
A religious procession-senators and priests
What does the religious procession emphasise?
The significance of Pax deorum, Pax Romana and political order
What is on the south frieze?
The imperial family-Agrippa, Livia, Augustus
Why was Augustus not presented as head of the procession?
To not be seen as a dictator
What was on one West Panel?
Birth of Romulus and Remus
What does the birth of Romulus and Remus symbolise?
The origins of Rome, linked Rome to war god Mars, possibly linked to the Lupercalia
What was presented on a West Panel?
Aeneas or Numa Pompilius
What was one interpretation of what was on the West panel?
Aeneas offering a sacrifice in front of his son Ascanius. Penates behind him.
What is another intepretation of what was on the West panel?
Numa Pompilius (second king of Rome). Introduces important religious reforms including temple of Janus linking to the beggining of the Pax Romana
What was on the East panel?
Pax / Venus / Tellus
Why could one of the interpretations be Pax?
Symbolic of peace, linking to pax Romana and pax deorum
Why could one of the interpretations be Venus?
Linked to Aeneas, showing Augustus divine ancestors
Why could one of the interpretations be Tellus?
Mother earth: flowers, animals, children and crops linked to abundance, fertility and nature
What does the other East panel show?
Personification of Roma
What did the personification of Roma symbolise?
the power and dominance of Rome and its military prowess
What does the altar celebrate?
The victory over the Battle of Actium