Ara Pacis Augustae - wbhs

Translated from the Latin – “Altar of
Augustan Peace”
 Built between 13-9 BC, toward the
beginning of Augustus’ reign as Emperor
 Originally situated on the Field of Mars in
Rome
 Intended as a commemorative monument,
representing the return of Augustus from
Spain and Gaul

The outer walls were 6.3m high, 11.6m wide
and 10.5m long
 The foundation was made of taventine, a
type of Roman-era limestone
 The outside of the walls were made of
marble, the best material for relief sculpture

› Tufa, a hard volcanic rock, was used on the
interior of the walls to form a solid core

The Altar
› The altar is decorated around the outside by
a small frieze of a sacrificial procession
› The approach to the altar was made by
going up a small flight of steps

The frieze at the front of the altar is
incomplete, but is thought to a procession
of the Vestal Virgins accompanied by
Roman officials

One end of the altar has a frieze illustrating
a sacrifical procession
Procession led by a priest, sacrifice
consisted of a sheep, bull and heifer
 Annual sacrifice starting in 13BC, honouring
the Pax Augusta, Augustan Peace


The Interior Walls
› The lower frieze has a vertical pattern, designed
to represent a wooden fence
› The upper frieze was intricately carved with
wreaths and plant life, in order to mimic the
feeling of a lush garden
› 12 garlands of fruit ran around the interior of the
Ara Pacis on the upper frieze
› When it was commissioned, it would have been
brightly painted to contribute to that desired feel

Different fruits/plant life represented:
› Fruits – grapes, figs, apples, pears, olives,
plums, pine cones and pomegranates
› Other vegetation – oak, ivy, laurel and
poppies
A wide variety of vegetation, not all
exclusive to Italy – what might this
symbolize?
 The Ara Pacis literally means “Altar of
Peace”. what are some elements on the
inside of the altar that represent this
ideal?
