MYTHS AND SYMBOLISM - ROME Flashcards
Rome
Briefly, how did Augustus become Emperor?
Just need to know the basics to help explain his use of mythology.
After Caesar’s assassination Octavian was named his adopted son.
He vowed to avenge Caesar’s death - raised an army, became consul, drove assassins into exile, and for those who rose up against him he defeated them in battle.
A sceptical Senate recalled Brutus and Cassius, but Octavian formed an alliance with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus - the 2nd Triumvirate - they gave battle in Greece, 43BC (Philippi) and won.
The Triumvirate eventually fell apart - Lepidus was accused of fomenting revolt, Antony’s will left his eastern province to his children with Cleopatra whom he had secretly married; Octavian defeated Antony at Actium 31BC.
He then carefully used propaganda to cement his rule gaining complete influence while divesting power to the Senate and the people. In 27BC he was given the name Augustus.
Rome - Augustan age
What were Augustus’ architectural goals?
- Recreate the Golden Age of architecture - copying 5th C Greece.
- Pax Roman - promotion of Augustus as the bringer of peace who ended the Roman Civil Wars
- Pax Deorum - appeasing the gods to keep them peaceful and hence on Rome’s side
- Promotion of self and his family.
Rome
What was (is) the Prima Porta?
A statue of Augustus.
It was initially erected in the town of Prima Porta;
That which is in Rome today is a marble copy made by Augustus for his wife Livia between 20 BC and 14 AD.
Rome
Describe the Prima Porta
Based on Polykleitos’ statue of the spear-bearer from 440BC. **
Prima Porta is seens as symbolic of the ideal man. **
The Roman statue differs from Polykleitos’ in four ways:
Right arm raised like a general addressing the army.
Breastplate indicates the army and has several religious icons - Apollo (his patron god), Artemis (Apollo’s sister), Tellus (Mother Earth) and others. But the toga represents the Senate.
The standards - representing the return of lost standards (Crassus’ loss in 53BC; Mark Antony’s loss in the 40s) - Tiberius negotiated a peace with the Parthinians who returned them.
Statue of Cupid.
Bare footed Augustus - how heroes and gods are depicted** (upon Caesar’s death, Octavian saw a shooting star indicating Caesar’s apotheoisis - joining the gods; which mean that he was now the son of a god…)**
Rome
What is the signifiance of the Prima Porta?
Commissioned by the Senate in honour of Augustus - which indicates his significance in their eyes.
It also shows the Ideal Roman leader - barefooted hero, the trappings of victory and power adorning him (breastplate, toga).
It shows how he was to be seen by the Roman people.
Rome
What is the Ara Pacis?
Marble altar - circa 9BC. On Campus Martius.
Commissed by the Senate in 19BC to honour the return of Augustus from Hispania and Gaul, it represents an Altar of Peace (pacis); the Senate also ordered the magistrates, priests, and Vestal Virgins to offer annual sacrifices.
Overall: symbolic of Augustus’ ideal of Roman Civil Religion.
What is on the altar of the Ara Pacis?
The altar depicts the sacrifices that take place on the altar; half clothed slaves lead the beasts to the sacrifice.
Describe the enclosure wall of the altar pacis
Sculptured inside and out, the western and eastern walls contained a door into the enclosure.
The scenes connected Augustus’ family to the founding of Rome and to the gods.
The northern and southern walls depict the sacrificial procession; they are stylistically similar the Parthenon’s depiction of the Panathenaiac procession.
What does this upper register of the west facade of the Ara Pacis depict?
The images seem to portray the discovery of Romulus and Remus by the shepherd; they are being suckled by a she-wolf. This connects to the Lupercalia.
What does this upper register of the west facade of the Ara Pacis represent?
Why is it depicted?
One of two answers:
- Aeneas offering sacrifice in front of his son Ascanius (Iulius) - the Penates, brought from Troy are in the house behind him.
- Or Numa Pompilius, second King of Rome: he had built the Temple of Janus - in his Res Gestae, Augustus boasts that he closed the doors of the temple. Numa also created the offices of the Pontifices
Depiction - either way, the sculpted frieze presents a sense of continuity from Rome’s founders and heroes down to Augustus, of which is naturally associated.
What does this upper register of the east facade of the Ara Pacis represent?
Why is it depicted?
A veiled goddes (either Tellus, Venus, or Pax) she is surrounded by animals and flanked by semi-nude females in a scene of prosperity (which Pax brings).
She is also holding twins - Romulus and Remus perhaps.
The prosperous scene reminds viewers of Augustus’ triumph over the threats to Rome (the civil wars) and the Pax Romana that he then sought to keep.
What does this upper register of the east facade of the Ara Pacis represent?
Why was this used?
Purportedly linked to the goddess Roma sitting on a throne of weapons - evidence is corroborated from Roman coins depicting a similar image.
If it is Roma, it depicts the victorious and powerful Roman equivalent of Athena overseeing and protecting the city.
What does this upper register of the north facade of the Ara Pacis represent?
Why was this used?
Senators and priests - one carrying a jug and incense box for use in the sacrifice; others carry laurel leaves also used - several have their heads traditionally veiled.
Commemorating the sacrifices to the gods in return for appeasement and support for Rome. All part of the religious observations required for a strong Rome.
What does this upper register of the south facade of the Ara Pacis represent?
Why was this used on the Ara Pacis?
The south frieze shows the imperial family - Augustus, priests in caps then, his wife Livia, top general Agrippa, nephews Lucius and Gaius, Tiberius.
Commemoration and celebration of Augustus - religious, pious, and incorporation of his family to ensure their continuity in power and prestige.
