26a augustan program[1]

7/30/2019 26a Augustan Program[1]

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26a. The Augustan Program

The Augustan Program:Religion, Art, and Literature

The Princeps, now a monopolist of the means of

influencing opinion, used all his arts to persuade men to

accept the Principate and its programme.

R. Syme, Roman Revolution, 458.

11/2/2007 26a. The Augustan Program 2

A Return to Traditional Values Some important Roman morals

romanitas(patriotism)

gravitas(seriousness)

virtus(valour, courage)

pietas(loyalty to family, country, and the gods)

Importance of marriage, children, and family

the problem of legislating morality

Revival of religion

Veneration of Roman heroesincluding, increasingly,

Augustus himself!


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Religion in the Age of Augustus

Temple building and restoration Cult of Apollo associated with Augustus, especially at the Temple of

Palatine Apollo next to his house

Revival of old cults

Monopolization of priesthoods by the imperial family

Secular Games of 17 B.C.

from saeculumor age: ushering in a new Golden Age

Veneration of Augustus genius

Every household honored the life-force/procreative power of the paterfamilias(head of the family)

Received cult, especially on the fathers family and at special events

Since Augustus was the pater patrias(father of the country), his geniuswas venerated as a guardian spirit in Rome and Italy

In accordance with Hellenistic practice, Augustus himself wasincreasingly worshipped in the provinces, especially in theEast


Augustan Sculpture Constituted the third phase of Roman sculpture

followed the Early (funerary) style and the Late Republican(realistic) style

Reverted to the idealism of Classical Greece

Crisp, polished, classicizing elegance

Subjects and execution both reflect propagandisticintent

Revival of mythical imagery

Golden Age symbolism Floral ornamentation, bucrania (ox sculls decorated with

garlands), grain, fruits, children


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Imperial Portraiture

The wrinkled, hard-bitten, and occasionally tormented lookof late Republican portraiture was replaced by smooth,imperturbable visages, seemingly impervious to age, ofAugustus and his family and associates J.J. Pollitt

An official portrait type was devised at Rome of theemperor and of many members of his family. These weredisseminated throughout the empire.

Augustus as Priest

Relaxed contrapposto

Serene countenance andexpression

Toga worn over head in attitude ofsacrifice and prayer

Probably depicts Augustus aspontifex maximus


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Augustus from

Prima Porta, c. A.D. 14

Augustus was almost 76,overweight, bald, andtoothless when he died! This,however, is how the empirecontinued to see him

Depicted in military dress asthe victorious imperator

Breastplate representsmythical and historical events,including a great diplomaticsuccess (the return of Romanstandards by the Parthians)

The small Cupid serves as areminder of the Julian claim ofdescent from Venus throughAeneas


Ara Pacis The Ara Pacis Augustae

a monumental altar to Augustan Peacededicated in Rome on January 30, 9 B.C.

commemorated the emperor Augustus safereturn in 13 B.C. from his third provincialtour (a second visit to Spain and Gaul)

Golden Age imagery of fertility

indicate that Augustus brought both theblessings of peace and posterity

Both images of Augustus and his family andmythical scenes combine to suggest thatPeace depends upon the imperial family


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A Family Affair

The first regular depiction of women and children The altar was connected not only with Augustus return,

but also with dates associated with close family members

Announced in 13 B.C. when his stepson Tiberius was

consul

Dedicated in 9 B.C. when his stepson Drusus wasconsul

Day of dedication, 20 January, was his wife Liviasbirthday

Ara Pacis


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Cross section sketch of altar (drawing by G. Gatti)

Positions and

themes of Ara

Pacis relief

panels


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Allegorical Earth (or Tellus) panel

Tellus detail

Buxom female figurecould represent theEarth, Ceres, Italy,Peace, or evenAugustus wife, Livia

Note symbols of fertilityand plenty, whichinclude young children,

grain, fruit, animals,poppies, etc.


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Sketch of processional

reliefs in panels abovevegetative motifs (left)

and a close up of the

acanthus leaf and

grape vine carving

Processional Relief

details

Note the prominence ofwomen and children in these

reliefs, which includemembers of Augustus family

portrayed prominently

among the procession of

Roman senators and priests.

Left, Augustus wife Livia. Thealtar was dedicated on herbirthday.


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Cosmic Imagery: The Ara Pacis and

Augustus Horologium

The altar was positioned alongside a carefully laid out sun clock, the dial

of which was an ancient Egyptian obelisk. On Augustus birthday the

shadow pointed to the Ara Pacis, indicating that his birth had usheredpeace into the world.

Augustus Building Program I found Rome built of

bricks; I leave herclothed in marble.Suet. Aug. 28

Forum of Augustus withits temple of Mars theAvenger

Temple of PalatineApollo

His own house on the

Palatine was relativelymodest

Temples, markets, andother public works

throughout Rome


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26a The Augustan Program

Forum of Augustus


Augustan Literature Poetry or Propaganda?

When the rule of Augustus is established, men of letters, a classwhose habit it had been to attack the dominant individual orfaction, appear to have been fervently on the side of thegovernment. . . . It does not follow that that the poets andhistorians who lent their talent to the glorification of the new orderwere merely the paid and compliant apologists of despotism. R. Syme, Roman Revolution, 459.

Many poets and writers patronized by Augustus friend Maecenas

Horace: Golden Age poet,

note esp. his Roman odes

Livy: moralizing historian

Propagator of traditional values, legendary and historicalheroes as exempla

Vergil: author of a nationalistic epic, the Aeneid

Stressed the role of the Julian family

26a augustan program[1]

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