Visual Source: Prima Porta

Question 1

Name of the stance with the raise hand.

Answer 1

Adlocutio

Question 2

Significance of the Aldocutio stance

Answer 2

Appears to be addressing troops

Question 3

When was it made?

Answer 3

20-19 BC

Question 4

Significance of his youthful appearance?

Answer 4

He would have been about 40 at the time, but his young, athletic appearance makes me seem eternal, links him to depictions of Apollo and also Classical Greek statues who idealized people’s images

Question 5

What was the inspiration of the statue?

Answer 5

The Doryphorus (sculpted by Polykleotis) from the Ancient Greek Golden Age, depicted the ideal male physique

Question 6

Significance of bare feet?

Answer 6

Suggests divinity

Question 7

Significance of the contrapposto stance?

Answer 7

Bent left leg provides the illusion of movement and the naturalism of the human body

Question 8

What God is depicted next to Augustus?

Answer 8

Cupid riding a dolphin

Question 9

Significance of Cupid and the Dolphin

Answer 9

Cupid is Venus’ son, who Augustus claimed to be a descendant of. The dolphin links it also to the sea.

Question 10

Why was the Prima Porta made?

Answer 10

To celebrate the victory of retrieving the Roman standards from the Parthians. (20 BC)

Question 11

List who is depicted on the breastplate

Answer 11

-Tiberius receiving the Roman legionary standards from the Parthians
-Two captives
-Apollo and Artemis
-Personification of the moon and sun
-God of the Sky (Caelus) and Goddess of the Earth (Tellus)