The Buildings and the Images of
the Imperial Cult
III. Augustus, Pompeii
I Ara pacis
- dynastic ambitions, social policies,
religious affinities, military victories
Complex
Location
Date
Obelisk
Altar
Ustrinum and mausoleum
Res Gestae:
“On my return from Spain and Gaul, after successfully restoring law and order to these
provinces, the Senate decided under the consulship of Tiberius Nero and Publius
Quintilius to consecrate the Ara Pacis Augustae on the Campus Martius in honor of my
return, at which officials, priests and Vestal Virgins should offer an annual sacrifice.”
Decoration
Altar (interior):
exterior:
Processions (or two parts of the same procession??)
south frieze
legendary panels
Tellus or Italia
RomaRoma
Aeneas making a sacrifice to the
penates or household gods
Mars with Romulus and Remus – badlyMars with Romulus and Remus – badly
damaged
meaning
II The forum of Augustus
- ideological manifesto summing the foundation myths, the mythic history of Rome, the summi
viri, divine lineage – everything points to Augustus’ imperium maximum
Location
Date
Material and dimensions
The porticoes
Exedrae
The temple
Inside the temple
– a statuary group of Mars, Venus and Divus Julius – not preserved
Algier Relief
Hall of the Colossus
Location
Dimensions
Pavement
North and south sides of the room
The wall at the back of hall
Base
Left side of the podium
Statue
Material
Size
Description
Technique
Fragments
a b
c
Statue identification
- Genius Augusti – in toga, velato capite 4
- possible atributes
- the choice of such statuary type
- the hall is a cult space in the Forum Augusti
III Pompeii – The Forum
- the principate of Augustus until 79 AD
- Pompeii and Imperial family
- local elites
- after earthquake – 62 AD
From elite patronage to direct imperial control over a unified space
3 phases of the Forum:
a) Early: 6th century BC - Augustus
b) Augustan and early imperial
c) Late: 62 AD to 79 ADc) Late: 62 AD to 79 AD
Augustan period and early imperial :
During Augustus’ reign – emperor worship widespread throughout Italy and the provinces,
citizens sacrificed and dedicated temples to the living emperor
The peace, safety and economical development of the first half of Augustus’ reign
Roman cities
Prominent citizens
Patrons and patronessesPatrons and patronesses
Domi nobiles
e.g. Marcus Holconius Rufus
- sacerdos and flamen
- restoration of the theatre, addition of marble facing, tribunal, scaenae frons – from Hellenistic
to Roman Theatre
Eastern side and the centre
- Macellum
- Lararium (Lares Publici)
- The Temple of Vespasian
- The building of Eumachia
The centre
- base of an altar (didn’t
Western side
- noticeable smaller
bases
- the Sanctuary of
Apollo
- market building
Topography:
Northern side – the temple and two arches
The temple of Jupiter
- base of an altar (didn’t
belong to the temple – had
one), possibly – to the
imperial cult
- market building
South side – in the middle arched monument,
square bases, in the axis – equestrian statue
The Eumachia building
-wealth of architectural, sculptural and epigraphic
evidence
Date
Size
Function
PatronPatron
Inscription on the frieze, above the columns
3 parts:
Chalcidium (A)
Porticus (E)
Crypta (G)
Chalcidium
- articulated façade to the forum
- long series of bases for statues
- entrance
- statues
Porticus (E)
- Statue(s)
Crypta (G)
The Temple of Vespasian
The Sanctuary of Augustus
Problem with datation: generally known as the
temple of Vespasian
a) court (B) – inscription (unidentified
few years ago) – dedicated by Mamia (Priestess
Mamia – lived at the age of Augustus – couldn’t
dedicate to Vespasian)
b) fits to the model of elite patronage,
dedicated to the Genius of Pompeii or
Augustus
c) technical analysis of thec) technical analysis of the
building techniques and
materials – Augustan date
Temple (D,E)
The sacred space defined by an precinct wall, an ample entrance (A),inside a covered (?)
vestibule (B), the main space – open court (C) and temple against the rear wall (D,E), an altar in
front of the temple, east of the court, 3 service rooms (F, G, H)
Marble altar
Main panel
Two smaller panels
The back panel
Lararium
The sanctuary of Lares Publici
- one large apse (B) -
two large lateral exedrae (C)
- integral part (A)
Macellum
Date
Function
Problem
- formerly - markets dedicated to Mercurius
(the god of trading), in the market – the
emperor (deus praesens) providing order in
economic transaction
Monumental entrance
- colonnaded entrance (A) in front of the entrance
- (B) - aedicula – a statue niche, I and J – other entrances
- internal colonnade surrounding the main court (C)
- shrine (E)
- two large rooms:
D – shop selling meat and fish
F – room for sacrificial banquets
The temple of Fortuna Augusta
Dedicated to the emperor’s worship
Sponsor: Marcus Tullius, M. fillius,
“Marcus Tullius the son of Marcus, duumvir with judiciary
authority for the third time, quinquennial duumvir, augur
and military tribune by the choice of the people, erected
this temple to Fortuna Augusta on his own ground and at
his own expense.”
Location
MaterialMaterial
Augustus’ successful return from east and west –
altars and temples dedicated to Fortuna Redux
Unclear why not in the forum?
Podium and altar (A)
cella (C, D)