The Ara Pacis Augustae, or Altar of Augustan Peace, is one of the most significant monuments from ancient Rome, symbolizing peace, power, and the prosperity ushered in during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Constructed between 13 and 9 BCE, this elaborate marble structure celebrates the peace established across the Roman Empire under Augustus, highlighting the emperor’s role as a leader who brought stability and prosperity after a period of civil wars.

How did Emperor Augustus usher in Pax Romana?

Historical Context

The Ara Pacis was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BCE to commemorate Augustus’s return to Rome after his campaigns in Hispania (modern Spain) and Gaul (modern France). These campaigns had helped secure and stabilize the empire’s western borders, enabling Augustus to focus on internal reforms, strengthen Rome’s infrastructure, and establish peace, known as the Pax Romana or Roman Peace. The Ara Pacis was intended to serve as a public and visible declaration of this new era.

Augustus skillfully used the Ara Pacis as propaganda, employing the monument to communicate his vision of Rome as a harmonious and prosperous society. Through its artwork, the Ara Pacis conveyed messages of fertility, family values, and the rule of law—qualities that Augustus promoted as central to Roman identity and his leadership.

Architectural Design and Location

The Ara Pacis Augustae is located on the Campus Martius (Field of Mars), near the Tiber River, in what was once the northern outskirts of Rome. Its placement near the Via Flaminia, a significant Roman road leading to the northern provinces, was strategic, symbolizing a connection between Rome and the wider empire. Originally, the Ara Pacis was also aligned with Augustus’s Horologium or Solarium Augusti, a large sundial that symbolized the passage of time and Rome’s enduring legacy.

The structure itself is a rectangular enclosure made of marble, with an open-air altar at its center. It measures roughly 11.6 by 10.5 meters (38 by 34 feet) and is about 6.2 meters (20 feet) high. The altar’s placement within the walls represents the protection and order provided by the Roman state. The design reflects both Greek and Roman influences, with the architectural layout and friezes reminiscent of earlier Greek altars, particularly the Altar of Zeus in Pergamon. The Ara Pacis reflects the blending of artistic traditions to convey distinctly Roman ideals.

Decorative Program and Symbolism

The Ara Pacis is renowned for its detailed relief sculptures, which illustrate Roman mythology, values, and the prosperity under Augustus. The reliefs are organized into panels on the exterior and interior walls, each carrying deep symbolic meaning and underscoring Augustus’s political messages.

The Processional Frieze

The most famous part of the Ara Pacis, this frieze depicts a procession of the imperial family, priests, senators, and other important figures, who walk in a dignified manner around the altar. The inclusion of the imperial family was a unique and strategic decision.

By including himself and his family, Augustus promoted his dynastic ambitions and the importance of continuity and stability. The figures are shown with an array of expressions, from calm reverence to subtle joy, symbolizing the unity and harmony within Rome.

Emperor Augustus appears on the Ara Pacis Augustae in the procession but does not stand out prominently, which reflects the understated representation of power during his rule.

This frieze also includes priests from the Arval Brethren (a prestigious priesthood dedicated to agricultural gods), indicating Augustus’s efforts to connect the peace of Rome with divine favor.

The Allegorical Panels

On the east and west sides, the Ara Pacis features mythological and allegorical panels. Each panel conveys significant messages about Roman identity, Augustan ideology, and divine favor.

The Tellus Panel on the east side depicts a mother goddess, often identified as Tellus (Earth) or Italia (Italy), flanked by personifications of wind and water. This image symbolizes fertility, abundance, and the nurturing aspects of the land under Augustus’s reign. The goddess holds two infants, symbolizing fertility and the new generations that will continue Rome’s legacy.

Opposite this, on the west side, are panels depicting the Myth of Aeneas and Romulus and Remus, Rome’s legendary founders. These panels are designed to connect Augustus with the foundational myths of Rome, linking him to Aeneas, a hero of Trojan origin and ancestor of the Julian family (to which Augustus belonged). The Aeneas panel shows Aeneas making a sacrifice to the gods, reinforcing Augustus’s piety and his connection to the divine.

Vegetal Friezes and Borders

The lower portions of the exterior walls are adorned with intricate reliefs of vines, acanthus leaves, and other flora, symbolizing fertility and abundance. The vegetal motifs also create a sense of harmony with nature and reflect the regenerative qualities of the Pax Romana. These friezes encapsulate the themes of growth, renewal, and a flourishing Rome under Augustus’s rule.

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Interior Decoration

The inner walls of the Ara Pacis are also adorned with decorative reliefs, albeit simpler than the elaborate exterior. These reliefs feature laurel garlands and bucrania (ox skulls), which were symbols of sacrifice and victory in Roman culture. The laurel, a symbol of triumph, was closely associated with Augustus, who had been awarded laurel crowns in honor of his achievements. The bucrania further reinforce the religious and sacrificial aspects of the Ara Pacis, emphasizing the connection between the emperor and the gods.

The altar itself, located at the center of the monument, is decorated with reliefs depicting scenes of sacrifice, which are essential to Roman religious practice.

Religious and Political Significance

The Ara Pacis was more than a religious structure; it was a powerful tool for communicating Augustus’s ideology. The concept of Pax Augusta or Augustan Peace was integral to Augustus’s rule, suggesting that peace was a direct result of his leadership and authority. Through the Ara Pacis, Augustus connected his rule to the restoration of traditional Roman values—piety, family, and respect for the gods.

Augustus also used the monument to project his image as a father figure to the Roman people. By including his family and the children in the processional frieze, he communicated the idea of continuity and succession. This emphasis on family and future generations was crucial in establishing a stable, dynastic rule, which eventually led to the establishment of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

The Ara Pacis symbolizes Pax (Peace), central to Augustus’s reign. Its importance continued, appearing on Nero’s coins between 64 and 67 CE.

The Ara Pacis thus served as a reminder to Romans of the peace, stability, and prosperity they enjoyed under Augustus’s reign. The monument’s focus on traditional values and religious piety also helped Augustus in consolidating his power and justifying his role as princeps, or “first citizen,” of Rome. This was essential in maintaining control over a vast and diverse empire, as Augustus could present himself as a leader who embodied Roman virtues and had the support of the gods.

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Rediscovery and Modern Significance

The Ara Pacis remained partially buried for centuries, with portions of it discovered in the 16th century during Renaissance-era excavations. However, it was not until the early 20th century that major efforts were made to excavate and reconstruct the monument.

Rediscovered in parts over centuries and reassembled in 1937-1938, the Altar of Augustan Peace now resides in the Museo dell’Ara Pacis, showcasing its enduring historical and artistic legacy.

In 1938, Italian archaeologists under the direction of Mussolini relocated the monument to a new pavilion designed to house it, part of Mussolini’s attempt to connect his regime to the grandeur of ancient Rome. This association with Fascist ideology added a layer of complexity to the monument’s modern history.

In 2006, a new museum building designed by architect Richard Meier was completed, providing a contemporary space to house and display the Ara Pacis.

Artistic Legacy and Influence

The Ara Pacis is one of the finest examples of Roman relief sculpture and has had a lasting impact on art and architecture. The blending of mythological and historical elements, as well as the inclusion of Augustus’s family in a monumental setting, marked a departure from earlier Republican traditions and established a precedent for imperial art.

The monument also reflects the influence of Greek art on Roman tastes. The processional frieze has often been compared to the Parthenon Frieze in Athens, both in style and thematic composition, suggesting that Augustus may have sought to position himself as a ruler in the mold of the great Hellenistic monarchs.

Frequently asked questions

Why was the Ara Pacis Augustae constructed?

The Ara Pacis Augustae was constructed to honor Emperor Augustus’s return to Rome in 13 BCE from successful military campaigns in Spain and Gaul. It symbolizes the peace and prosperity of his rule, marking the beginning of a new era of stability in the Roman Empire.

Where is the Ara Pacis located, and what makes it a significant Roman monument?

The Ara Pacis is located on the Campus Martius in Rome. It is significant for its intricate relief sculptures and its depiction of Roman portraiture, including animated processional scenes of senators, officials, and the imperial family, representing either the consecration of the altar site or a welcome procession for Augustus.

When was the Ara Pacis commissioned and completed?

The Ara Pacis was commissioned by the Senate in 13 BCE and was completed in four years, using Italian Luna marble. It was dedicated on January 30, 9 BCE.

What figures and symbols are depicted on the altar and its interior walls?

The altar itself, which stands about 3 meters tall, features scenes of Vestal Virgins, priests, and sacrificial animals. The interior walls have garlands of fruit and flowers hanging from ox heads (bucrania), symbolizing sacrifice, while rich acanthus scrolls and detailed relief figures decorate the lower and upper portions of the exterior walls.

What mythological scenes are shown on the east and west exterior panels?

The east and west panels depict various mythological scenes, including a she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, Roma seated on armor flanked by Honos and Virtus, Aeneas sacrificing to the Penates, and a female figure with two children, likely symbolizing Pax, Venus Genetrix, or Tellus (Mother Earth).

Who is depicted on the north and south walls of the Ara Pacis, and what do these figures represent?

The south wall depicts Augustus and his family, while the north wall features officials such as magistrates, senators, priests, and their families. The figures are shown in a lively procession, symbolizing Roman unity and capturing realistic interactions, with some figures talking, calling for silence, or displaying childlike behaviors.

Where can the Ara Pacis Augustae be seen today?

The Ara Pacis is now housed in the Museo dell’Ara Pacis, a modern glass-and-stone museum structure near the Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome.