physical sources Flashcards
gold aureus basic info date, obv and rev and depiction details x5
43BC
- obverse, octavian, consul, priest of the augurs
depicted as young
- reverse, JC, dictator in perpetuity, pontifex maximus
laurel wreath
signficance of the gold aureus 43BC x6
- aligns oct in JC’s memory
- JC was one of the first to put own portrait on coinage
- laurel wreath on JC references military victories and triumphs
- text absolves aug, dict in perp v consul (part of cursus honorum = constitutional)
- laurel wreath worn on triumph day but senate voted for JC to wear it at all times, = evocative symbol
- in a year he went from no history of political office to consul of Rome = leveraged JC’s power and popularity to become the obvious successor
divi filius physical sources
- Gold aureus 43BC
aureus with the scroll.
date, picture, inscriptions x2 and blah
- 28 BC
- aureus of aug seated on a magistrate’s bench holding a scroll
- imp. caesar. divi filius.
- leges. et. iura. p. r. restituit.
- works into the coin that he is 6x consul membership holder.
signfiicance of aureus with scroll x5
- magistrate’s chair: powerful position, constitutional, IS A LAW GIVER
- visual representation of the first settlement -> saviour of the republic.
- omits militaristic imagery (no armour as he is in a civilian toga)
- laurel wreath is subtle imperator imagery
- assoc with julius is somewhat missing.
when was the mausoleum
completed in 28BC
significance of the mausoleum x7
- meant to house many people = dynastic tomb
- reminiscent of the tomb of alexander the great
- fine building stone used
- bronze statue of augustus on top
- garden with promenades
- res gestae master copy was somewhere near the opening of the tomb
- visible for those entering or leaving rome
when was the prima poerta finished
20 BC
notes on the prima porta basic features x6
- head and face idealised to be youthful. calm
- clothing is general’s cloak
- posture is contrapposto stance. reference to doryphoros
- barefoot
- dolphin, cupid/gaius/tiberius
- ad locutio
prima porta head and face notes x3
- youthful, idealised even though he was 40 yrs old
- calm and self controlled
= by idealising himself, aug can emphasise his divine nature and can show his composed nature in governance.
prima porta clothing x1
- general’s cloak - aug is addressing his troops, conveys he is a successful soldier and military man = prowess.
posture stance etc of prima porta x6
- contrapposto stance (one foot forward)
- reference to the doryphoros statue which was popular in the 5th century and seen as embodying physical perfection
- barefoot which is strange as aug didnt want the romans to worship him as a god but insignificant aspect as could just be a copy or to align himself with doryphoros
- ad locutio (oratorical pose) - as if addressing troops.
empty hand could have been spear, legionary standard, laurel branch
= aligning himself with this aligns aug with the golden age of greece
= aug’s parallel of doryphoros pose implies he too possesses physical perfection and excellence.
dolphin and cupid/tiberius/gaius prima porta notes x4
- dolphin refers to the birth of venus at sea
- if it is cupid, this links to aeneas, whose mother is venus.
- dolphin links to military (navy) alluding to actium triumph.
- hairstyle of child suggests could be gaius = introducing a divine lineage
stuff on prima porta cuirass x10
1.parthian
2 and 3. two hunched people
4. sun god and chariot
5. dawn with water jug and moon goddess luna holding torch
6. shoulder straps - sphinx
7. caelus/saturn at top
8. apollo rides griffin
9. diana riding a deer
10.woman (mother earth) holding cornucopia
parthian prima porta cuirass x2
- parthian returns legionary standard
- recipient could be tiberius or mars ultor. wears phrygian cap to link to trojan history
hunched figures prima porta cuirass x1
- representative of conquered nations such as Hispania and Gaul. knelt in submission.
shoulder straps with sphinx prima porta cuirass x1
reference to egyptian victory
caelus/saturn at top prima porta cuirass x2
- representative of the heavens
- could be interpreted as saturn. = linking to aug as the new saturn (saturn was the ruler of latium and brought it from disorder to a great civilisation (the first Golden Age).
diana riding deer and apollo griffin prima porta cuirass x1
divine patronage, their presence suggests aug has protection and is supported
woman holding cornucopia prima porta cuirass x2
could be Pax or Mother Earth
symbolises abundance.
symbolises the stability that aug brought to rome and the economic prosperity under his rule.
perhaps holding and significance on prima porta
- perhaps a laurel branch = peace-maker
- perhaps spear = imperator
- perhaps reclaimed legionary standard = imperator
denarius of aug sacrifical implements basic info date and depicts
- 12 BC
- obv bust of aug bareheaded
- rev sacrificial objects (litus, patera, simpulum)
significance of denarius aug sacrificial implements x4
- without laurel wreath - puts religion before militarism
- bust on the obverse makes it clear he is trying to represent himself as pious (illiteracy)
- patera (sacrifical bowl), litus (symbol of augurs), sumpulum (ritual ladel) = religious iconography and pious
- depicted as youthful and timeless but appearance is slightly less idealised.
via labicana augustus x5
- veiled head = priest-like appearance (pietas)
- idealised young face (he was 50)
- strength and physical prowess displayed below the intricate folds of the garment.
- broken arm holding a patera - used for libations to the gods (pietas)
- does wear shoes (patrician shoes worn by roman elite)
features on the ara pacis x7
- lupercalia panel
- roma panel
- procession panel (north and south)
- tellus panel
- aeneas panel
- altar
-interior carved
lupercalia panel x2 =x2
- romulus and remus suckle at Lupa’s teat. observed by their father Mars.
- likely representing the lupercal grotto (thought to be on the palatine hill)
= military strength
= divine approval / ancestry
roma panel x4 =x4
- depicts roma sat on a pile of armour
- on the shield is romulus and remus
- sat on weapons confiscated from the enemy
- two missing figures (Virtus and Honos
= pax romana (peace after subjugation of enemies/provinces)
= military strength
= divine approval
= bringer of peace
aeneas panel x3 =x4
- aeneas is offering sacrifice to the penates.
- could also feature white sow.
= aug is inserting himself into the narrative of the foundation of rome and linking himself to the piety of his claimed ancestor.
=divine appointment/ ancestry
= pietas
= pater patriae (father of rome)
= bringer of peace (sows are the standard sacrifice for a peace treaty)
Tellus panel x6 =x2
- tellus (mother earth) seated
- over spilling bowl of fruit on lap = abundance of crops and fertility.
- 2 children on lap either gaius and lucius / romulus and remus
- central figure flanked by female figures who may represent the sky and winds.
- chiton is hugging feminine features -> emphasises feminity and child bearing abilities = fertility.
- modestly veiled and dressed -> restoration of propriety and family values
= pater patriae (encouraging childbirth)
= aug as the bringer of peace (abundance)1
tellus nature x2 plus 1x
- animals are serene and grazing = suggests plentiful harvest.
- hinting at sacrificial piety with animals such as oxen being important sacrifical animals.
amphora spilling water suggesting the abundance. (plus could recall Aug’s overseeing of the structural projects in Rome.)
north procession panel x2 =x1
- made up of 46 figures eg augurs and other priests.
- priestly colleges represented the Septemviri epulones (arranges sacrificial banquets)
= pietas
south procession panel x6 =x2
- augustus, priests and imperial family
- priests of jupiter = solemnity of the occasion
- veiled agrippa with veiled julia behind him.
- augustus is with wreath but also in a civilian toga - shown as a civic leader
- woman in the background has her finger to her lips as to suggest a respectful silence (reference to drusus’ death in 9BC)
- figures hold water jugs as liquid libations.
= religious piety and leadership, aug is depicted as pontifex maximus among the priests
= processional friezes seem to provide the first instance in which the family appears together in roman art
inside ara pacis notes x5 =x1
- altar for sacrifice (called the “altar of peace”
- luna (white expensive) marble
- interor carved with bucrania (ox skulls) = sacrificial piety
with garlands between. = abundance - lower register imitates the appearance of traditionally wooden altar precincts = bring to mind other altars in rome.
- vegetal friezes on the outside show abundance and peace + swan = venus
=bringer of peace
what is pax deorum
the idea that there was peace with the gods and the gods were appeased so this allowed rome to flourish
examples of pater patriae ara pacis x2
- encouraging childbirth
- aeneas panel links to father of rome
examples of pietas ara pacis x5
- it is an altar
- location on the campus martius
- bucrania for sacrifice
- lots of minor deities depicted
- veiled heads on friezes
military strength examples ara pacis x4
- campus martius.
- pax romana, roma sat on pile of weapons
- comemmorating aug’s return from spain.
- mars at lupercalia panel
divine approval/ancestry examples ara pacis x5
- lupercalia panel
- aeneas panel
- tellus panel
- pax deorum = shown by abaundance
- swans thorughout the vegetal friezes
bringer of peace examples ara pacis x4
- altar of peace
- abundance of life on vegetal friezes and tellus panel
- roma panel as weapons no longer needed.
- aeneas was sacrificing a sow which was the standard for peace treaties
denarius of aug and comet basic. date, depictions, inscriptions
- 18-19 BC
- obverse, aug is youthful, wearing laurel wreath
-deified JC’s comet at 44BC games, (but deified 42BC), Divine Julius = less man more god (one name)
= divine status of JC and Aug by extension
significance of aug and comet x2
- oak/laurel wreath, symbol of victory/honour, denotes triumph (imperator)
- reversed inscription Divine Julius - only referring to JC through his now deified status, no image/titles. JC used by aug as a god, not a man
aureus of gaius and lucius basic stuff date, depictions and inscriptions
- 2BC - 4AD
- obverse - aug depicted wearing a civic crown to highlight his legitimacy as leader or an oak/laurel crown to be imperator.
caesar augustus, son of a god, father of the state - reverse - gaius and lucius in togas with libations ladles etc, circular (peace) shields
depicted youthfully
augustus’ sons, consuls designate, first among the young
significance of the aureus of gaius and lucius x6
- gold coin, not for the masses
- father figure
- piety with the libation ladles.
- crown/ laurel = pater patr/ imperator
- aug as peace bringer due to shields.
= depicts gaius and lucius as the obvious successors of aug
when did augustus vow to build the forum of augustus and temple of mars ultor AND WHY
42BC
on the heels of the assassination, was a bold move and seeking to cement his political position on the coattails of caesar.
asserts his authority and connects him with military themes as well as deities.
when was the forum completed and dedicated
2BC - coincided with augustus being awarded title of pater patriae
where is the location of the augustan forum and hwy
adjacent to the forum of julius caesar. aligns with his legacy
how was the forum of augustus functional - 2
forum
- symbolic gift to the city of rome, links to suet 29 ‘his reason for building the forum was the increase in the number of people adn cases at law which seemed to call for a third forum, since two were no longer adequate’ - built to provide additional space for law courts
temple
- symbolic function of fulfilment of aug as avenger of JC
- stored captured arms and booty, incl. parthian standards.
porticoes augustus forum x3 =x1
- porticoes statues of illustrious men from roman history, including Cassius Dio, in triumphal dress and their achievements.
- 108 statues
- west portico there was a colossal statue of augustus which was 14m tall, perhaps flanked by statues of Venus Genetrix and divine Julius
=encouraged visitors to associate him as being part of roman history
what is in the forum of augustus x6
- temple of mars ultor
- quadriga
- porticoes
- west exedra
- east exedra
- fire wall
forum exedras x2
- west exedra - statue of aeneas with descendents - the imperial family
- east exedra - statue of romulus and more great men
temple of mars ultor
- 3 statues at back of cella (divine julius, mars ultor, venus genetrix)
- big 125x118x33m - impressive and clearly dominating the forum
-roma, tiber, palatine deities believed to be on the pedriga
quadriga info x3 =x2
- depicts augustus riding a chariot drawn by four horses
- pater patriae inscription (the senate voted this title in 2BC and erected the monument at state expense
- by placing it in the centre and away from any other statues, it gives augustus prestige. also by not placing it IN the temple, he associates himself with the gods, but ISNT ONE HIMSELF.
= military connotations of augustus.
= pater patr shows pax augustana
meroe head date and material
27-25BC
bronze
meroe head x3 =x1
- similar style of the prima porta
- originally derived from egypt
- face is highly expressive and the chin, ears parallel the prima porta
= augustus presented mixed image of himself in egypt as earlier he allowed himself to be depicted alike to a pharoah
when was the sebasteion at aphrodisias completed
60AD
sebasteion at aphrodisias
- temple complex dedicated to aphrodite and the julio-claudian family. started by tiberius and finished by nero
- corinthian temple and a processional avenue flanked by 2 portico-like buildings
- also named Augusteum “monument to Augustus”
- paid for by local nobility as a declaration of loyalty to rome
- c.190 relief panels depicting images of the gods, heroes, julio-claudian emperors
- lower storey depicts mythological scenes (greej adn local heroes)
- AUGUSTUS PANEL
- VENUS ANCHISES P + AENEAS P
Aug panel sebasteion
- aug stood opposite Nike (victory)
- Tropaeum between them - plundered armour of fallen enemy as a trophy, captive soldier and roman eagle.
- aug is depicted as nude and bare-footed - akin to a deity (as he is deified rn)
venus and anchises + aeneas panel
venus alongside anchises
then nect panel is aeneas fleeing troy with penates, ascanius and father.
pays homage to venus as progenitor of roman emperors as without the divine lineage, augs reign wouldnt be legitimate
significance of sebasteion and theme
- how aug’s image was used and updated after his death.
- symbolism is similar to art of aug’s reign
- location out of rome = helpful for aug’s image in the wider empire.
- imperator more than peace - rather than focusing on peace and golden age, aug is presented as imperator - showing he expanded the empire through warfare.
when was kalabsha gate
30BC - after the battle of actium
kalabsha gate key info
-The cartouches above his head say ‘the Roman’ and ‘Caesar the God, son of God’
-isis is present who was a favourite among egyptians and romans, responsible for fertility, motherhood, magic and healing.
-surprising for aug to depict himself as an egyptian as he has critiwues MA for taking on the lifestyle
denarius of pax
32-29BC , used to pay army peace through war
portrait of livia date and x3 basics
31Bc, nodus, realistic style ,conservative expression
portrait of livia main aspects x4
- lacks strong emotional expression - passive, subservient woman = traditional/conservative values.
- veristic style from roman republic - prominent nose, chin, mouth. merges trad roman features with classical style from 5th century BC
- hairstyle in plain nodus style, fashionable in 1st BC, traditional roman
- basanite, from egypt as a reference to roman domination of egypt
politics behind portrait of livia x5
- evokes traditional roman values by having a modest, obedient, pious wife who is a Roman Matrona
- designed to suggest livia and octavian are austere
- allusion to republican style indicates they should be viewed as part of republican period.
- livia’s traditional modest hairstyle contrasts with elaborate styles of aristocratic roman women and that of cleopatra
- first woman to appear frequently in roman art
Denarius of Aegypto Capto x4
- 27BC
- obverse augustus
caesar divi filius in 7th consulship - reverse is crocodile
egypt captured ! - Roman style coin - emphasises subjugation of Egypt
