TABULA RASA
NOTES
The Ara Pacis
Date Built: construction started in 13BC and finished in 9BC.
Location: Campus Martius
Reason for building: Augustus writes in the Res Gestae that the Senate commissioned
this monument after Augustus’ Spanish campaign.“When I returned to Rome from Spain...the
Senate voted to consecrate an Altar of Augustan Peace for my return, in the field of Mars”-
Res Gestae 12
physical details
This is a monumental altar dedicated to the Goddess Pax, who was the personification of peace.
She was a relatively minor Goddess until Augustus gave her more recognition.
The vegetal frieze:
Vines, acanthus, and several other plants are carved. This represents the natural bounty and
fertility of Rome. Some scholars think that the symmetry of the plants could perhaps be a
reference to the strict social order that Augustus implemented.
Two panels depicting Rome’s founders
In one panel, Aeneas is seen with his head covered which suggests he is taking part in a
religious ritual. He appears to be sacrificing a sow to the household gods of Troy, which later
became the household gods of Rome.
In the other panel, scholars suggest that Romulus and Remus are depicted sucking on the
she-wolf as indicated by the myth. Mars and the Shepherd Faustulus stand above them. This
is an educated guess as the panel has been destroyed significantly.
The Goddess Roma
A woman is depicted sitting on a pile of armour. She is thought to be Roma as this is how she
is often depicted. Augustus uses this panel to link war with peace and to promote that
conflict is a necessary evil to achieve peace.
‘Tellus’ panel:
This panel is still a topical area of discussion among scholars since there is disagreement on
who exactly is depicted.
Many scholars think that it is the Goddess Tellus.
NOTES
The Ara Pacis
Date Built: construction started in 13BC and finished in 9BC.
Location: Campus Martius
Reason for building: Augustus writes in the Res Gestae that the Senate commissioned
this monument after Augustus’ Spanish campaign.“When I returned to Rome from Spain...the
Senate voted to consecrate an Altar of Augustan Peace for my return, in the field of Mars”-
Res Gestae 12
physical details
This is a monumental altar dedicated to the Goddess Pax, who was the personification of peace.
She was a relatively minor Goddess until Augustus gave her more recognition.
The vegetal frieze:
Vines, acanthus, and several other plants are carved. This represents the natural bounty and
fertility of Rome. Some scholars think that the symmetry of the plants could perhaps be a
reference to the strict social order that Augustus implemented.
Two panels depicting Rome’s founders
In one panel, Aeneas is seen with his head covered which suggests he is taking part in a
religious ritual. He appears to be sacrificing a sow to the household gods of Troy, which later
became the household gods of Rome.
In the other panel, scholars suggest that Romulus and Remus are depicted sucking on the
she-wolf as indicated by the myth. Mars and the Shepherd Faustulus stand above them. This
is an educated guess as the panel has been destroyed significantly.
The Goddess Roma
A woman is depicted sitting on a pile of armour. She is thought to be Roma as this is how she
is often depicted. Augustus uses this panel to link war with peace and to promote that
conflict is a necessary evil to achieve peace.
‘Tellus’ panel:
This panel is still a topical area of discussion among scholars since there is disagreement on
who exactly is depicted.
Many scholars think that it is the Goddess Tellus.
