Mausoleum of Augustus

Question 1

When was it constructed?

Answer 1

27-23BC

Question 2

What is it made from?

Answer 2

Brick walls, clad in white marble

Large earthen mound

2 pink granite obelisks

Surrounded by parkland

Question 3

What are the dimensions?

Answer 3

90 metres in diameter
42 metres high

Question 4

What is the significance of the mausoleum’s size?

Answer 4

• It dwarfed even the most lavish funerary monuments in Rome at the time, so it would have drawn a lot of attention
• Could be interpreted as meaning that he wanted to be viewed as a Hellenistic style monarch

Question 5

Why could the mausoleum’s size create a link to Hellenistic-style monarchs?

Answer 5

• Massive funerary monuments were common in the Greek East in the Hellenistic period, and were particularly favoured by the Macedonian Royal Family
• This is a similarity to Alexander the Great, whose tomb was almost certainly in this style
• Such mausoleums were testaments to the power and wealth of rulers who were thought of as heroes

Question 6

Where is it located?

Answer 6

Campus Martius, Rome

Question 7

What is its significance?

Answer 7

Augustus’ monumental final resting place

Question 8

What is the significance of its location?

Answer 8

• It was close to many other public buildings commissioned by Augustus and his supporters, such as the Pantheon, Forum of Augustus and the Ara Pacis

Question 9

Describe some features of the Mausoleum:

Answer 9

Surrounded by parkland

Obelisks

Topped with a bronze statue of Augustus

Question 10

Describe the significance of it being surrounded by parkland:

Answer 10

• This would have given it an even greater sense of grandeur, as it was separated from the rest of the city
• Would also have given the impression of a classical greek temple, which were always separated from the city, surrounded by a holy sanctuary
• As the park was open to the public, it could have been seen as a gift to the city

Question 11

Describe the obelisks:

Answer 11

• They are Egpytian, acting as a reminder of Augustus’ conquest of Egpyt

Question 12

Describe the statue:

Answer 12

• He’s watching over Rome- Pater Patriae

Question 13

Why was the mausoleum not within city walls?

Answer 13

Burials weren’t allowed there, for fear of disease

Question 14

What did the building of the mausoleum coincide with, and why?

Answer 14

The reading of Mark Antony’s will- which demonstrated Antony’s disloyalty to Rome as it stated he wanted to be buried alongside Cleopatra in Alexandria

This reinforces Augustus’ loyalty to Rome as he’s already showing he wants to be buried there