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According to Suetonius who is the historian of the Rome, Augustus had found Rome a city of mud brick and left it a city of marble1. Undoubtedly, the most outstanding achievement of the urbanization movement the Augustus pursued are those brilliant Roman architecture. Many historian believe that the most outstanding, magnificent and practical buildings were rise during the Augustus period which is the greatest period of Rome architecture of all time of the Rome history.2 In order to improve the infrastructure of the city of Rome, the Augustus put vast of his wealth to the area of Rome architecture and also keep develop the management institution.3 Those outstanding building such as The Forum of Augustus, the Theater of Marcellus,the Baths of Agrippa,the Temple of Apollo Palatinus,and the Ara Pacis were all completed during Augustus period.4 Meanwhile, Augustus also put a great influence to the future emperor of the Rome. The future emperor also put a huge effort to decorate and repair for the Rome buildings. Under his influence, wealthy of every class were also put a heavy investment of the construction of the city.5 Thus, it creates the prosperous of the Roman city. In this essay, i will choose the Temple of Mars Ultor, The Temple of Apollo Palatinus and The Ara Pacis as three buildings related to Augustus’s region to illustrate how those outstanding architecture reflect his impact and the representational messages were they designed to convey. Author, Title of Book (Place of publication: Publisher, year), page number(s).
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Urbanus, Jason. “A Spin through Augustan Rome.” Archaeology Vol. 68 Issue 4 (2015): 9-10 Rostovtzeff et al., The social and economic history of the Roman Empire (Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1998), 9. The urban image of Augustan Rome / Diane Favro. P134 Jason, “A Spin through Augustan Rome.” 9-10 Rostovtzeff et al., The social and economic history of the Roman Empire, 32. 1
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Figure1: Forum Augustum, Temple of Mars Ultor, 37-2 B.C., elevation Drawing: Ro-gelio Carrasco after Fritz Toebe Imann, Roische Gebalke(1923). pl.39 6
Public buildings of the Roman is an indispensable part of Roman people’s daily life. As the capital of the Roman empire, the city of Rome are strongly valued by the Augustus and Roman nobles. In order to build up the prestige of the emperor and to demonstrate the power of the nation, they put a huge attention to develop the public buildings. Therefore, Roman public buildings exude the feel of Luxury and majestic. Among public buildings, the Forum is the most typical symbol. The Forum of Rome is not just a open space. During the development process, the Forum gradually become a complete district. The temple, the parliament and the courts are all become a part of the Forum. The Temple of Mars Ultor in the Forum of Augustus is the most ambitious architecture of Augustus.7 This building was built for celebrating
Figure2 : Forum of Augustus in Rome with the temple of Mars Ultor 8
Ro-gelio Carrasco, "Forum Augustum, Temple of Mars Ultor, 37-2 B.C., elevation Drawing", The Architecture of Roman Temples: The Republic to the Middle Empire, John W. Stamper (New York : Cambridge University Press, 1996.), p.131, Elevation Drawing. 7 John W. Stamper, The Architecture of Roman Temples: The Republic to the Middle Empire (Cambridge University Press, 2005), 130. 8 Mark Cartwright, Forum of Augustus in Rome with the temple of Mars Ultor, 2013, online article, 6
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Augustus’ victory in 42 BCE at the Battle of Philippi over the assassins of Julius Caesar. In fact, Augustus was trying to magnifying and emphasis the importance of his role of avenging Caesar’s murder. Therefore, the was built “as monument to elevate the status of the event and to further legitimize Augustus’s unprecedented rule.”9 This temple also have the function as the strategy focal point of Roman military.10 The exterior of the temple of Mars Ultor was made by the Italian white Luna marble from Cararra. While, the Corinthian columns were 17.76 meters high and they were arranged in a row of eight on the each side and also the facade. Until now there are three column are still standing today. The floor of the temple was laid by coloured marble such as purple Phrygian, yellow Numidian and Lucullun red and black.11 Moreover, There are two side of columns located in the interior cella. Behind those column, there were purple Phrygian pilasters on either side of niches which contained statues. The capitals of column and those pilaster replaced the the traditional volutes, they represents the Pegasus who carries the thunderbolts of Zeus, and the interior ceiling was consists of the coffered slabs decorated with gilded rosettes.12 The center of the whole interior space of the temple is a huge statue of Mars, which made by marble. This statue located in the apse of the cella. Before the statue, there are five steps covered by the Egyptian alabaster and surrounded by the legionary standards which the Parthians had taken but which, following Roman victory, were recaptured and restored to Rome. Meanwhile, there is a 30 meters high tufa wall topped with white travertine behind the temple.13 All these magnificent and Luxury feature of the Temple of Mars Ultor conveyed a message that the power and status of Augustus is sovereign and unprecedented. Augustus regard himself as the son of god.14 He wants to built a perception that the emperor has omnipotent power which same as the god. “Nowhere was Augustus’s omnipotence more directly and forcefully expressed than in the Temple of Mars Ultorand the Forum Augustus.”15 From a historical angle, the all former empire used the religion to control people’s thinking to consolidate the rule of empire. As i mentioned before, Augustus as the first emperor of the Roman Empire, after he took the political power, he also was trying to deify the power of emperor. Augustus regard the religion as the protection of the Roman empire and his rule to the Roman empire, therefore, during the Augustus period, he puts a lot of effort on promoting the development of religious activities in different parts of the Empire. He used his political power to restore and rebuilt many of the religious rituals and Roman temples that had collapsed from age or burned
http://www.ancient.eu /article/617/. 9 Stamper, The Architecture of Roman Temples: The Republic to the Middle Empire, 130. 10 Stamper, The Architecture of Roman Temples: The Republic to the Middle Empire,130-141 11 Mark Cartwright, “Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, last modified October 11, 2013, http://www.ancient.eu /article/617/. 12 Mark Cartwright, “Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, last modified October 11, 2013, http://www.ancient.eu /article/617/. 13 Mark Cartwright, “Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, last modified October 11, 2013, http://www.ancient.eu /article/617/. 14 Stamper, The Architecture of Roman Temples: The Republic to the Middle Empire, p.131 15 Stamper, The Architecture of Roman Temples: The Republic to the Middle Empire, p.132 3
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down .16 During this period, Augustus restored 82 temples.17
Figure3 : Remains of the temple of Apollo on the Palatine hill in Rome.18
In 36 B.C., Augustus decided to build a new temple on the south-west edge of the palatine hill. This is the Temple of Apollo Palatinus which is by far the second most famous temple of Apollo in Rome.19 Meanwhile, the Temple of Apollo is also the only second temple dedicated to the god, after the Temple of Apollo Sosianus. The Temple of Apollo Palatinus was vowed by Augustus when he was return from the victory of the battle of the Naulochus in 36 BC and the battle of Actium in 31 BC. In October 9 of 28 B.C., the temple was complete with its porticies and libraries.20 The most interesting thing of this temple is its location. The Temple of Apollo Palatinus was just located near the Augustus’s house. And Augustus’s house was just connected to the terrace of the sanctuary through the corridors and fresced halls. Because of the sovereign power of Augustus, so he can decide where his house can be built with his powerful association with Rome’s earliest past. “The house itself was relatively modest,but he shared it with the god who was his particular patron, an association of sanctuary and ruler’s residence”21 From this point, it is obvious that Augustus was trying make religious and emotion combined with the emperor and the political order. This building reflects how Augustus effects the buildings by establishing the connection between religion and politics while pass the representational messages that Regions and Politics are indistinguishable. The Ara Pacis Augustae was built in order to celebrate and honorthe return of Augustus’s campaign in Spain and Gaul in 13 BC and it was completed on 30th McNeill, William Hardy, The rise of the West: a history of the human community : with a retrospective essay (Chicago : University of Chicago Press, c1991.), 145. 17 Redaelli, Eleonora. “Becoming a creative city: perspectives from Augustus’ Rome” Urban Geography Vol. 36 Issue 4 (2015): p608-623 18 Antmoose, Anthony M, Remains of the temple of Apollo on the Palatine hill in Rome, 2007, online photo, http://flickr.com/photos/antmoose/14689025/ 19 Hekster Olivier, Rich John. “THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO PALATINUS AND ROMAN TRADITIONS OF TEMPLE BUILDING” Classical Quarterly Vol. 56 Issue 1 (2006): 149-168. 20 Olivier and John, "THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO PALATINUS AND ROMAN TRADITIONS OF TEMPLE BUILDING," 149-168. 21 Olivier and John, "THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO PALATINUS AND ROMAN TRADITIONS OF TEMPLE BUILDING," 149-168. 16
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January 9 BCE.22 The Ara Pacis is the most precious and representative legacy of
Figure4: Ara Pacis Augustae, general view from the southwest. (photo: Dick Fish) 23
Roman sculpture history. This building is mainly structured by marble. Meanwhile, it was built in a proper Roman fashion which is that the building is a not closed system but a open space to the air. This is to express that sacrifice to the gods was a public event.24 Moreover, there is no statues and a treasury include in The Ara Pacis Augustae, but rather a central altar set on surrounded by high walls while there are a stairs with shallow flight rise the whole construction because of the lower elevation of the ground.25 The altar itself and the decoration of it are all illustrate the religion of Rome, different kinds of traditional gods and their origin. Through the image on the on the interior wall the meaning of it will be understood.26 In more detail, for example, the interior wall were decorated with cow skulls and bucrania, which refer to the animal sacrifice. This is the symbol of the god will bless the abundance of the Rome. Moreover, the panels located in the lower part of the outside wall have vegetation which were orderly growth. This is the also the symbol of the peace. Furthermore, many animal forms can be seen in the acanthus frieze panels were associated with Apollo.
Mark Cartwright, “Ara Pacis Augustae,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, last modified October 13, 2013, http://www.ancient.eu /article/618/. 23 Dick Fish, Ara Pacis Augustae, general view from the southwest, March 1994, photo. 24 PODLES, Mary Elizabeth, “The Altar of Augustan Peace.” Touchstone Vol. 29, Issue 2 (2016): p62-63. 25 PODLES and Elizabeth, "The Altar of Augustan Peace," p62-63. 26 PODLES and Elizabeth, "The Altar of Augustan Peace," p62-63. 22
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Figure5: Ara pacis Augustae, detail, south side, swan. (Photo: Barbara Malter)27
Based on the figure 5, the swans which are the bird of Apollo are repeatedly appeared in that area. The most obvious one is the biggest one which located on the pivotal place. The elegant stands on the top with its outspread wing and sinuous neck just like phoenix. As the birds of Apollo, it contains dual nature of Apollo which are peace-loving and the care of their child and offing while, if necessary, it also can be belligerent28 This sculpture depict that the Augustus wants to transfer a message that under his rule, the citizen of Rome empire will be treated like his own child and he also have the power to protect and fight for his child.
Figure6: Ara Pacis Augustae, detail, south side, beneath central acanthus plant, snake and bird’s nest. (Photo: Dick Fish.)29
Another interesting form of the animals which are a snake were trying to wriggle to the nest of baby sparrow can be seen at the south side beneath the central acnthus plant. “The appearance of the snake and the birds held in stasis would have inspired reflection on the nature of Pax.”30 Pax is the represent of the Pax Roman which is the Barbara Malter, Ara pacis Augustae, south side, swan. March 1994, photo. Barbara A. Kellum, “What we see what we don’t see. Narrative structure and the Ara Pacis Augustae,” Art history vol.17, issue 0141-6790 (1994): 33. 29 Dick Fish, Ara Pacis Augustae, detail, south side, beneath central acanthus plant, snake and bird’s nest. March 1994, photo. 30 Kellum, "What we see what we don’t see. Narrative structure and the Ara Pacis Augustae," 37. 27 28
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most peaceful period of Roman Empire.
Figure7: Ara Pacis Augustae, detail, south side.
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At the south wall panel, the self-image of Augustus is more fully expressed. This is the image that the Augustus are surrounded by his imperial family and they are preparing the sacrifice. Some people are talking to each other, and one girl probably the stern matron hold her finger on her lips seem to call for quiet. As i mentioned before, Augustus were trying to combine the religion and the politics together. If during that period the politics and religion were indistinguishable, then it will be hard to understand it is a religious vision or a political propaganda.32 Augustus have been support the policy of pro-marriage and pro-natalist which will get the support from thoes fusty old Roman. Therefore, including the family member and also some of the cute children and a matron shushing them is seem like to held a conservative appeal. On the other aspects, this also can be regard as the expression of Augustus were trying to built a autocratic ruler dynasty.33 However, it seems like Augustus has been surpass the aspects of the politics. He puts a lot of efforts to transform the concepts of the emperor from a military power to a peaceful protection by breaking a conflict and war and ushering in a time of peace. Meanwhile, he also wants to built a self-image of he is the man born for the peace. 34 “He had the Solarium Augusti, a sundial made from an Egyptian obelisk surmounted by a globe representing both the earth and the cosmos, constructed on the Campus M artius and placed in such a way that the shadow of the gnomon fell directly onto the Altar of Peace on September 23, Augustus’ own birthday.”35 From his own perspective, his birth was directly connected to the period of Roman Pax, which means he thought his birth was to bring a long time of peace period to the world. Therefore, throughout the whole building of the The Ara Pacis Augustae, those wonderful sculpture emphasized the strong believe that he religion benefits the civic peace and s strong willing that the Augustus 31 32 33 34 35
Dick Fish, Ara Pacis Augustae, detail, south side, March 1994, photo. PODLES and Elizabeth, "The Altar of Augustan Peace," p62-63. PODLES and Elizabeth, "The Altar of Augustan Peace," p62-63. PODLES and Elizabeth, "The Altar of Augustan Peace," p62-63. PODLES and Elizabeth, "The Altar of Augustan Peace," p62-63. 7
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trying to worship the emperor and combine the religion and the political power together. In conclusion, Augustus have huge impact during the Roman Empire history. His great power create the glorious and magnificent Roman architecture. His impact could reflect from those architecture which were built during that period. The majestic design, Luxury material and the amazing statue of the the temple of Mars Ultor perfectly reflects Augustus’s sovereign dominance and the great powerful military he possessed. Even we can say that there is no place could expressed the omnipotence of the Augustus except the temple of Mars Ultor. Moreover, the location of the the Temple of Apollo is just next to Augustus’s private house while the house also can directly connected to the the terrace of the sanctuary through the corridors and fresced halls. This point not only reflect that Augustus has the power to choose the site as he want but also reflect his strong willing of deifying himself and worship the emperor reign. Furthermore, the The Ara Pacis Augustae which is the most precious and representative legacy of Roman sculpture history. Every sculpture in this building contains a narrative structure. Most of them were depict message that the Augustus wants to change the concepts of the emperor from a powerful military owner who bring the war to the world to the god who can bring the peace to the world and protect the people. And also convey the message that he think the good control of religion benefits the civil peace and the strong willing of combining the politics and the religion.
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Urban Geography Vol. 36 Issue 4 (2015): p608-623 Urbanus, Jason. “A Spin through Augustan Rome.” (2015): p9-10
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Barbara A. Kellum, “What we see what we don’t see. Narrative structure and the Ara Pacis Augustae,” Art history vol.17, issue 0141-6790 (1994): 37. Ro-gelio Carrasco. "Forum Augustum, Temple of Mars Ultor, 37-2 B.C., elevation Drawing". The architecture of Roman temples : the republic to the middle empire, Favro, Diane G, p.131. Cambridge ; New York, Cambridge University Press: 1996. Mark Cartwright, Forum of Augustus in Rome with the temple of Mars Ultor, 2013, online article, http://www.ancient.eu /article/617/ (Accessed in 05/15/2016). Antmoose, Anthony M, Remains of the temple of Apollo on the Palatine hill in Rome, 2007. online photo, http://flickr.com/photos/antmoose/14689025/, (accessed 05/15/2016). Dick Fish, Ara Pacis Augustae, general view from the southwest, March 1994, photo. Barbara Malter, Ara pacis Augustae, south side, swan. March 1994, photo. Dick Fish, Ara Pacis Augustae, detail, south side, beneath central acanthus plant, snake and bird’s nest. March 1994, photo. Dick Fish, Ara Pacis Augustae, detail, south side, March 1994, photo.
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