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  1. Seuso Research Project
  2. Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
Altar of the Augustan Peace in Rome (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Altar of the Augustan Peace in Rome (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Part of the Ara Pacis Augustae (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Part of the Ara Pacis Augustae (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Representation of a festive event on the altar (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Representation of a festive event on the altar (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Roman Empire
13 – 9 B.C.

Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)

The Roman senate decided to construct the Ara Pacis following Augustus’s successful military campaign in Hispania in 13 B.C. Building the altar was actually a part of founding a new cult: following its dedication (January, 9 B.C.) the leaders and chief priestly bodies would offer a sacrifice to Pax, to Peace personified as a goddess. The epithet of the new goddess (Augusta) was identical with the honourable name (Augustus) of Octavianus, who in effect led the Roman state from 27 B.C. It means “majestic”, “divine” and “bringing growth”. The reliefs of the Ara Pacis Augustae had the same complex socio-political message dressed up in a religious guise in their own age as the name Augustus itself: civil wars came to an end, the Roman state extended to an ever increasing territory and the well-managed peace brought plenty, well-being, and a new golden age for the residents of the empire. This message is expressed “in coded language” by the decoration of motifs of nature including life-like plants and animals on the lower part of the exterior walls surrounding the altar. Its figurative ornaments also announce the same, Roman identity and its promise for the future: on two sides of the opening on the entrance façade the myths of Aeneas, as well as Romulus and Remus, can be seen each on a relief. On the rear façade on one side there is the goddess of Rome in full armour, while on the other side a panel features a goddess in fine clothing with two young children on her lap and surrounded by plants and animals. The key to its interpretation can perhaps be mostly found in this figure: it may portray personified Peace simultaneously with opulently productive land blooming in peace (Tellus) or, extending this interpretation, Italia. On the longer sides of the exterior walls the ritual procession of the annual peace festivity is depicted, and members of Augustus’s family and representatives of priestly bodies can be recognized.

  • Reign of Emperor Augustus

    Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
    Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta
  • “Corinthian bronze”jug and bowl with handle, Egyed

  • Roman wall paintings

  • The Conquest of Pannonia

  • Colosseum

  • Reign of Emperor Trajan

    Trajan’s Column
  • Reign of Emperor Hadrian

    Pantheon
  • Reign of Marcus Aurelius

    Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
    Bronze portrait of Marcus Aurelius, Lugio
  • The Severan dynasty: the golden age of Pannonia

    Wall paintings from Brigetio
    Hercules mosaic, Aquincum
    Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi
  • Ivory statue of Autumn (Autumnus), Savaria

  • The age of the soldier emperors

    Statue of Nemesis from the governor’s palace, Aquincum
  • Silver augur staff, Brigetio

  • Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy

    Statue of the tetrarchs of Venice
    The Gold Coffin by Ferenc Móra
  • Reign of Emperor Constantine I (the Great)

    Mosaics of the Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina
    The triumphal arch of Constantine
    The Colossus of Constantine I
    Colossal bronze statue of Constantine I
  • Foundation of Constantinople

  • Reign of Emperor Constantius II.

    Heidentor, Carnuntum
    The Kaiseraugst treasure
  • Helmet of March 15 Square, Budapest Castellum contra Teutanum

  • Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó

  • Reign of Emperor Julian

  • Reign of Emperor Valentinian I

  • Battle of Hadrianopolis

  • Barbarian incursions into Pannonia

    The Kőszárhegy quadripus
  • I. (The Great) Theodosius and his co-emperors

    Obelisk of Theodosius
    Gilded bronze bust of Valentinian II, Sopianae (?)
  • Fragment of glass vessel with gold foil decoration, Intercisa

  • Painted Early Christian burial chambers, Sopianae

  • Ivory diptychs

  • Sack of Rome

  • Giving up the territory of Pannonia

    Late Roman luxury villa, Nagyharsány
    The Beremend bronze plaque
  • Dethronement of Romulus Augustulus

  • Mosaics of Ravenna

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