ARA PACIS - INTERIOR Flashcards
Describe the walls and bottom engravings of the Ara Pacis.
The interior walls are divided in half by palmettes; the bottom is engraved to represented the temporary wooden faced which would have surrounded the altar during its construction.
What does the top depict objects of?
Depicts objects associated with sacrifice; Bucrania, garlands, and fruit, implying constant fertility.
What else are the walls engraved with?
Acanthus leaves, which were associated with divinity and depicted pax, the goddess of peace, as well as priests and vestal virgins.
What does the engravings of acanthus leaves highlight?
Romes’ religious needs by emphasising the importance of religion in classical Roman society.
How was Apollo recognised in the Ara Pacis and why?
The engravings also include a swan, which was the sacred bird of Apollo. Augustus completely dominated the political scene in Rome following the Battle of Actium, and he credited Apollo for the defeat of his rival Mark Athony.
What did the swan show the Roman populace?
That through his leadership, he had brought around a phase of military strength to Rome and he was fully endorsed by the gods.
