Procession Relief, Ara Pacisby Steven Zucker (CC BY-NC-SA), Interestingly, although Augustus is present in the scene, the emperor is actually not so easy to pick out, which is in great contrast to later Imperial sculpture where the emperor of the time is very much the focal point of the monument. The north wall has about 46 extant or partially extant figures. The entirety was raised on a marble base with steps leading into the precinct space. The Ara Pacis Augustae (Latin, "Altar of Augustan Peace"; commonly shortened to Ara Pacis) is an altar in Rome dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of Peace. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 13 Oct 2013. wall painting and poetry, she has held fellowships at the American Academy in Rome and the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts in Washington, DC. The Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace) is a sacrificial altar commissioned by the Roman Senate on July 4, 13 BC to honor the triumphal return of emperorAugustus from his campaigns in Hispania (Spain) and Gaul (France). This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ara-Pacis, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Ara Pacis Augustae. The marble structure, which once stood on the Campus Martius, is a masterpiece of Roman sculpture and, in particular, of portraiture. The Ara Pacis Augustae or Altar of the Augustan Peace in Rome was built to celebrate the return of Augustus in 13 BCE from his campaigns in Spain and Gaul. Cartwright, Mark. (1,2) On the east and west sides of the exterior walls are panels with mythological scenes including a version of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, Roma seated on a pile of armour flanked by Honos and Virtus, Aeneas sacrificing to the Penates and a female figure with two children who may be Pax, Venus Genetrix or Tellus (Mother Earth). He also suggested that the Ara Pacis is arranged in family groups. The lower portion of the exterior walls has richly sculpted acanthus scrolls whilst the upper portions carry relief figures. The monument was commissioned by the Roman Senate on 4 July 13 B.C. The Ara Pacis Augustae (Latin, “Altar of Augustan Peace”; commonly shortened to Ara Pacis) is an altar in Rome dedicated to Peace, the Roman goddess. The sculptures on the walls and on the altar represent the shrine’s dedication ceremonies, scenes from Roman legend, and floral motifs and are considered to be among the finest examples of Roman art. This is the currently selected item. In 1938 a monument, later known as the Museo dell’Ara Pacis, was raised beside the Tiber to house the reconstituted edifice. The many children represent Augustus' wish for an increase in the birthrate among the upper class. Cartwright, M. (2013, October 13). The west wall includes a fairly well preserved relief depicting Aeneas, the founder of Rome, making a sacrifice to the Penates, the household gods Aeneas saved from the fires of Troy. Richard Meier’s pavilion. The entryway of the ara pacis from the west entrance, facing the Campus Martius. The relief figures on the north and south exterior walls are arranged in two groups. The structure was commissioned in 13 bce to commemorate Augustus’s return from the provinces of Gaul, where he had spent three years supervising the administration of the region. Updates? He also correctly determined that the two-year old child could only be Germancius, whose exact birth in 24 May 15 BC is known. Ara Pacis Augustaeby Manfred Heyde (CC BY-SA). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Some figures are speaking to each other, one figure (possibly Augustus’ sister) holds a finger to her lips and calls for silence whilst elsewhere some children look decidedly bored with one small child pulling the toga of an adult in order to be picked up. One of the carvings on this side of the altar shows the Trojan hero Aeneas offering a drink to the Penates, the household gods he brought from Troy. Cambridge University Press 978-1-108-83541-1 — Painting, Poetry, and the Invention … Restoration of the Ara Pacis was ongoing during the 20th century, both to halt the decay related to age and to reverse the effects of earlier, haphazard attempts at salvage. Ara Pacis. Visitors today will approach the Ara Pacis from its western side. to honour the return of Augustus to Rome after his three … We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Tellus (or Pax) Panel, Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace) 9 B.C.E. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Two attendants stand before him, one with a jug and bowl, the other with a sow. The structure has a central altar set on a podium surrounded by high walls (11.6 x 10.6 m) composed of large rectangular slabs. The structure has been surrounded by a modern building which, in addition to the Ara Pacis Augustae, contains a number of other works of art, both ancient and modern. The modern designed space, well-lit with stunning windows and glass roof, boasts a full array of models, portrait busts, video reconstructions and VR … The animation and individuality of the figures is a high point of Roman sculpture and the relief is also graded to give the scene depth and a further reality. This is a swan detail from the lower zone of the south wall. The entrance leading to the back of the Altar faced towards the East. The dedication was recorded in Ovid’s Fasti as well as by Augustus himself in his “Res Gestae Divi Augusti” (“Achievements of the Divine Augustus”). Practice: Ara Pacis . The Ara Pacis is one of the finest sculptural creations from the reign of Augustus, and its level of preservation is remarkable. (Ara Pacis Museum, Rome) (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) The better preserved panel of the east wall depicts a seated female figure (above) who has been variously interpreted as Tellus (the Earth), Italia (Italy), Pax (Peace), as well as Venus. 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