Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Alec Reder
Mr. Burns
Latin I
4 March 2017
Introduction
It is common for rulers to construct a monument that depicts an image with which they
wish to be connected in the minds of their people. Augustus, one of Rome’s greatest emperors,
was no exception to this trend; he constructed the Ara Pacis in order to portray himself in a
certain way. The Ara Pacis represents the lasting peace that Augustus brought upon his empire in
History
As Mark Cartwright notes in his article, “the Ara Pacis Augustae or Altar of the Augutan
Peace in Rome was built to celebrate the return of Augustus in 13 BCE from his campaigns in
Spain and Gaul” (Cartwright). By the time the monument started construction, Augustus had
taken over a large portion of the remaining lands in Spain and Gaul that Julius Caesar had failed
to conquer. It took four years to complete. The Ara Pacis was originally built in the Campus
The Ara Pacis was also constructed as a lasting symbol. Charlotte Crow describes it as “a
devotional monument in thanks of peace, but also a magnificent assertion of the Emperor’s
absolute power and military might” (Crow). The monument symbolizes the Pax Romana, the era
of peace in the Roman Empire. Augustus wanted a monument to carry his legacy throughout
Description
The Ara Pacis is made of Italian Luna marble, a form of white marble from Carrara, Italy.
The monument is composed of four walls, with entrances on the east and west sides, an open
ceiling, and a podium with an altar inside. The altar and the walls of the Ara Pacis have been
describes as being “heavily ornamented with relief carvings” (“Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of
Augustan Peace)”).). Along its walls are many depictions, many of which show parts of Roman
mythology and other symbols of Roman culture. Some of these depictions include scenes of
Some of the reliefs depict more common scenes. It is noted that “processional friezes
along the north and south sides of the outer wall are thought to represent the sacrificial
procession that took place annually at the altar by order of the senate”(“Ara Pacis Augustae
(Altar of Augustan Peace)”). This procession includes Augustus himself, as well as his family.
He is placed on the structure along with figures such as Aeneas and Romulus, showing the
Recent Construction
As stated before, the building was originally placed in the Campus Martius along with
other famous Roman works of art. However, during the reign of the dictator Benito Mussolini,
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the monument was moved near the Mausoleum of Augustus. In more recent times, the Ara Pacis
has been placed inside a new building designed by an American architect named Richard Meier.
The new building “was constructed around the Altar and is nearly eight times bigger than the one
it replaces” (Crow). The new structure is earthquake-proof, but it is not controversy-proof. Many
criticize it for integrating modern architecture with works from ancient Rome, and they dislike
Works Cited
Cartwright, Mark. “Ara Pacis Augustae.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History