Augustus on the Kalabsha Gate

• 30 BC
• Originally located in Egypt - Bab al-Kalabsha as part of a temple complex dedicated to a Nubian sun god named Mandulis
• Made out of limestone
• Currently in the Egyptian museum, Berlin
• Shows Augustus embracing gods he did not typically associate himself with within the city of Rome (Mandulis and Isis)

  • Romans did not automatically impose their religion on people of the Empire + some foreign practices were welcomed into Roman religion
  • Isis was a favourite of some Roman citizens despite her origins as an Egyptian deity
  • Not scandalous but not typical of his Roman image
• Augustus depicted in the style of the pharaohs 

  • Identifiable as the figure to the left by the carouches above and to the right of his head - “The Roman”, “Caesar the god, son of a god”
  • Depicted shirtless and wearing a large collar style necklace, fashionable for Egyptian royalty 
  • Wears an elaborate Egyptian-style crown
  • Wears a short skirt which is traditionally Egyptian 
  • The relief sculpture is Egyptian in style - complete contrast to the idealised realism of most of Augustus’ sculpture in Rome 
• Augustus translating his pious image into Egyptian contect

  • Augustus presents Isis with an offering - the hieroglyphic symbol for fields 3 times
  • More reliefs show him making offerings to the Egyptian deities 
  • Other reliefs from the temple show other Egyptian deities crowning Augustus, implying they approve of his rule in Egypt
• Image of the relief sculpture

  A) Hieroglyphic symbol for fields

  B) Isis

  C) Cartouche - "the Roman"

  D) Cartouche - "Caesar the god, son of a god"

  E) Short skirt

  F) Elaborate cown

  G) Large collar-style necklace