The Ara Pacis: The ultimate demonstration of Emperor Augustus' propaganda machine

The background of the era in which the Ara Pacis was constructed is essential to understand its historical and cultural significance.

This was a period of substantial change and development in Rome, as it transitioned from the tumultuous times of civil war to a more peaceful and prosperous era under the rule of Augustus, known as the Pax Romana or 'Roman Peace.'

When Augustus—then Octavian—defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, it marked the end of the Roman Republic's chaotic era, characterized by political assassinations, power struggles, and civil wars.

Upon his victory, Augustus, Julius Caesar's adopted heir, declared the advent of a new era, bringing an end to the internal strife that had beleaguered Rome for so long.

Augustus ushered in a period of peace and stability that lasted for more than two centuries.

His rule was characterized by a clever blend of military might and diplomatic prowess.

This astute balance between hard and soft power was a key reason behind the successful and sustained peace of the Pax Romana period.

Augustus also embarked on a comprehensive program of social, political, and cultural reforms, aimed at reviving traditional Roman moral values, reforming the Senate, improving the administration of the empire, and sponsoring public works and monumental architecture.

This era witnessed an unprecedented flourishing of Roman literature and arts, later referred to as the 'Golden Age' of Roman literature.

In 13 BCE, Augustus returned to Rome after three years of diplomatic endeavors in Spain and Gaul.

His triumphant return was celebrated as a symbol of Rome's new-found peace and prosperity, leading the Senate to commission a grand monument—the Ara Pacis Augustae—as a tribute to his successful reign.

The site chosen for the construction of the Ara Pacis was located on the Campus Martius, an area outside the official boundaries of the city that held both religious and historical significance.

The Campus Martius was a symbolic choice, a military training ground during the Roman Republic and a space associated with celebrations of military victories.

The construction of the Ara Pacis, which commenced soon after the Senate's proposal, took approximately four years to complete.

The monument was formally dedicated on January 30 in 9 BCE, a date chosen for its symbolic relevance—it was the birthday of Augustus's wife, Livia, and also coincided with Augustus's own assumption of the title 'pater patriae', or 'father of the country'.

The Ara Pacis was a square enclosure measuring approximately 11.63 meters high, 10.62 meters wide, and 10.79 meters long.

Constructed from Luna marble, the monument consisted of a traditional open-air altar at its center, surrounded by precinct walls adorned with beautifully carved friezes.

In terms of construction methodology, Roman builders relied heavily on precise planning and craftsmanship.

This involved quarrying the marble, shaping and carving the intricate reliefs, transporting the materials to the site, and finally assembling the monument—a monumental task given the tools and technology available in that period.

The construction of the Ara Pacis Augustae, therefore, stands as a testament to the advanced building techniques and the aesthetic sensibilities of the Romans in the Augustan age.

The design and symbolism of the Ara Pacis are as intricate as the monument's political and historical context.

This impressive marble structure serves not only as a tribute to the goddess Pax and Augustus’s reign, but also as an artistic portrayal of the emperor’s vision for Rome.

The Ara Pacis features a richly decorated exterior, with four panels on each side. The two main facades, located on the east and west, contain large entrance gates.

The central part of the altar itself, which would have been used for sacrifices, is enveloped within a high screen of Parian marble, adorned with beautifully carved friezes.

The South-facing panel is perhaps the most famous, containing a procession of Augustus, his family, and various other religious and political dignitaries.

This portrayal is not a specific event but an idealized depiction of unity and stability, emphasizing the familial aspect of the emperor’s rule.

Augustus, his close relatives, and high-ranking officials are shown as pious and united participants in a religious procession, reinforcing the idea of Pax, the divine peace, being celebrated and maintained by the ruling elite.

The other panels contain a mix of traditional Roman motifs and scenes of mythological importance. On the lower part of the exterior walls, there are lush friezes representing various vegetal motifs and a diverse array of animals.

This abundance of nature, teeming with life, symbolizes the fertility and prosperity of the Roman Empire under Augustus.

On the upper part of the exterior, there are intricate scenes from Roman mythology.

These scenes, including the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, are believed to emphasize the divine support for Augustus and his family, reaffirming their position at the helm of the Roman Empire.

The design of the Ara Pacis, with its fusion of realistic human forms and symbolic, stylized natural and mythical elements, embodies the Augustan ideals of family, religion, and civic duty.

Each scene and figure carved into its panels tells a part of the complex story of Augustus’s Rome, a narrative of peace, prosperity, and piety, intricately intertwined with the emperor's own lineage and his vision for the empire.

The original location of the Ara Pacis had both religious and political significance. The monument was constructed on the Campus Martius, a public area located outside Rome's official city boundaries.

Traditionally used for military training and assemblies, the Campus Martius, during Augustus's time, became a focal point for a variety of architectural projects, turning into a testament to Rome's splendor and Augustus's ambitious urban development program.

The placement of the Ara Pacis on the Campus Martius had an additional layer of symbolism.

The monument stood in close proximity to the Mausoleum of Augustus, the intended final resting place of the emperor and his family.

This strategic placement, effectively making the Ara Pacis part of the monumental complex centered around the Mausoleum, created a strong visual and symbolic connection between the celebration of peace and the commemoration of the emperor's lineage.

However, the centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire saw the Ara Pacis fall into disrepair.

Layers of silt from periodic flooding of the Tiber River gradually buried the monument, and it was lost to the world until the Renaissance, when parts of the monument were sporadically discovered.

The most substantial excavation and restoration effort didn't take place until the 20th century under the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini.

The extensive work involved the excavation of the remaining fragments and the reconstruction of the monument at a new location.

In 1938, the restored Ara Pacis was inaugurated at a site on the Lungotevere, a few hundred meters from its original location, with its alignment altered to match the cardinal points.

This location was chosen to align the monument with the Mausoleum of Augustus and the Fascist-era Via del Impero (now Via dei Fori Imperiali), in an attempt to draw a parallel between Augustus's rule and Mussolini's own regime.

In 2006, the Ara Pacis was once again relocated, this time into a modern museum designed by the American architect Richard Meier.

The new Museo dell'Ara Pacis aimed to provide better preservation conditions for the monument and has since become a prominent tourist attraction and cultural symbol in modern Rome.

Thus, the location and re-location of the Ara Pacis also serve as a reflection of Rome's evolving history, from its ancient past to its Fascist period, and into the present day.