In what ways does the Ara Pacis Augustae reflect Augustus' vision of a Roman 'golden age' - Research Paper Example

The reconstructed Ara Pacis now stands within a large, reinforced glass and concrete shelter, also the work of Mussolini’s architects, designed to protect it from the elements and pollution(1). Marble surfaces of the box—shaped Ara Pacis are covered with relief sculpture carved in white marble. The artists are unknown, but the level of craftsmanship is exceptionally high, ending archaeologists to suggest that they may have been Greeks, or at least Greek—trained artists(2). As with much ancient Greek sculpture, Reliefs were originally painted, which would have made the stand out much more clearly than they do now. 1. Rehak,P.

’Aene or Numa? Rethinking the meaning of the Ara Pacis Agustae’, The Art Bulletin, Vol.83,(2001),pp.190-208. 2. Conlin, Diane Atnally. The artists of the Ara Pacis:the process of Hellenization in Roman relief sculptures(Chapel Hill, 1997). Fig: Ara Pacis Original Frontal View (13-9 B.C) Source http://www.vroma.org Fig.: Present status of Ara Pacis after some modification Source http://www.vroma.org Physically weak and plagued by ill health, Agustus was only eighteen years old when Julius Caesar's assassination thrust him, as his uncle's chief heir and adopted son, into the forefront of the subsequent political and military turmoil.

He outmaneuvered and outfought rivals such as Cassius, Brutus, Lepidus, Mark Anthony, and Cleopatra. Augustus embodied and represented the tremendous currents that transformed Rome from a small Italian city situated on the Tiber River to a powerful empire that bestrode the known world as no other colossus ever had. Augustus was astute and artful enough to balance republican traditions with imperial realities, skillfully maintaining the delicate facade to achieve his goals, so that, late in life, he could rightfully claim it(3).

In general, the Augustan system worked fairly well, in fact, it lasted more than 200 years. It provided a material and political base of cultural achievement that rivaled the Greeks under Pericles(3). This is the age of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. But the Augustan reforms were not limited to political, economic and social issues alone. They also envisioned a fundamental change in Roman culture itself. Augustus tried to turn Rome into a world capital and taught the Romans to identify their destiny with the destiny of all mankind.

They were the chosen people who would bring peace and stability to a violent and changing world. The transformation which he tried into Rome was not only administrative or political but it was fundamental change in cultural foundation of the city which he wanted to make as world capital. 3. http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture12b.html The upper panels on the short front and back walls, the location of the two doorways to the sanctuary, show four scenes from Roman history and religion. All but one are in a poor state of preservation.

On the front are the fragments of two scenes from the most ancient history of Rome: on the right Aeneas Sacrificing to Penates (4)(ancestral household gods) and on the left the god Mars with Romulus and Remus. Both scenes concern legendary founders of the Roman state. Aeneas, a hero of from Troy (celebrated in Virgil’s epic poem, the Aeneid, commissioned by Augustus), was regarded as the first settler on Italian shores. Romulus and Remus, the twin sons of Mars who were nursed by the-wolf were the founders of the city.

The two ceremonial processions on the longer side