annotation two
Augustus of prima porta
Fig.1. Augustus of Primaporta (15 a.d)
- Debates over the date of creation, believed to have been commissioned in 15 A.D.
- Thought to have been commissioned by Augustus’ adopted Son Tiberius.
- 2.03 meters high
- Currently owned by the Vatican Museum (?)
- Marble
- Example of a contrapposto pose - relaxed, natural stance, bearing weight on right leg (also used in Kritios Boy sculpture, not as severe “s” shape)
- Shows a resemblance to Doryphorus (Greek classical sculpture from 450 - 440 b.c) May have been based on the sculpture.
- Augustus is portrayed as a youthful, idealistic character without flaws, influenced by the ideals of Greek sculpture, possibly a Greek athlete?
- Depicted as a youthful man, however, Augustus was around 35-40 years of age at the time of construction.
- The sculpture connects Augustus to the golden age of Greek civilisation (sculpted in the classical Greek idealistic way)
- Sculpture connects Augusts to the past - style of sculpture (greek history) robe worn is generally associated with Julius Caesar (Augustus’ adoptive father).
- Statue reinforces the fact that Augustus was a great public speaker and military victor (right arm/hand raised high as if to signal the attention of a crowd/military) Hand signal is a Roman way to address people. Signifies authority/dominance.
- Original right hand was lost - replaced with an artists render.
- Left hand may have carried an object, such as a scepter - position of hand signifies this.
- Cupid figure riding a dolphin found at the lower right leg - dolphin symbolises Augustus’ (then Octavian) navel victory over Mark Anthony and Cleopatra (Battle of Actium in 27 b.c) which made him the sole ruler over the Roman Empire.
- Cupid (eros - known to be the son of Venus) figure gives the impression that Augustus is a descendent of the Gods. Caesar - Augustus’ adoptive father claimed to be a descendant of Venus, passing the connection down.
- • Augustus’ military uniform is paired with bare feet - unusual for battle. Possibly signifies his divinity.
- The face of the Cupid figure is said to resemble Augustus’ grandson Gaius, born in 20.b.c.
- Augustus wears a breastplate (cuirass) which shows a range of scenes.
- The breast plate reinforces Augustus’ status as the emperor and leader of the military.
- Celebrates victory over the Parthians in 20 b.c.
- At the top of the plate is the Sky God Caelus (Uranus), with the Sun God Sol (Helios) below and to the left - Said to signify the sun shining over all regions of the Roman empire, bringing peace and prosperity to all citizens (known as Pax Romano) Augustus, as the center of the world (literally as he is clothed in the breast plate depicting the metaphorical scenes), is solely responsible for this.
- Character to the right is said to be Aurora (known as Eos to the Greeks) the Goddess of the dawn, riding a winged female figure. (Gods symbolise the normality, order, balance and harmony that has been restored by becoming a fascist state, and the peace resulting from the victory?).
- The figures in the center are thought to be some of the most important from the scenes of the breast plate. The character on the right is known to be a Parthian barbarian, he can be identified by the tunic and baggy trousers. Barbarian is holding a Roman standard - lost in battle of Carhae (53 b.c) by Roman general Crassus.
- Figure on the left of barbarian is believed to signify a member of the Roman military - wearing a uniform consisting of a breast plate, helmet, boots and is accompanied by what appears to be a dog - possibly trained and used in Roman battles.The barbarian appears to be handing the standard to him - returning it after Augustus’ victory.
- Military personnel believed to be Tiberius - Augustus’ mediator in the battle against the Parthians.
- Two female characters to the left and right edges of the breast plate are thought to represent countries conquered by Augustus.
- Below these are Apollo (riding a winged Griffin) and Diana (riding a stag), both major deities in the Roman parthenon - Augustus was favoured by the pair.
- At the bottom of the plate is Tellus - earth goddess. She cradles two babies while holding a horn (cornucopia) filled with fruit. Thought to symbolise fertility (shown by healthy babies) also the peace brought by Augustus’ victory.
bibliography
Britannica. (2015) Contrapposto. At: http://www.britannica.com/art/contrapposto (Accessed on 16.06.15)
Carosio, Renzo. (2009) History of the Cane Corso. At: http://www.oldworldcanecorso.com/breedhistory.html (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Elia, Josephine & Erickson, Erika & Lee, Stephanie & Yu, Zoe. (2005) Augustus of Prima Porta. At:http://web.mit.edu/21h.402/www/primaporta/description/ (Accessed on 16.05.15)
Ford, Josh. (2015) Augustus the Divine. At: http://ancientart.as.ua.edu/augustus-of-prima-porta/ (Accessed on 16.06.15)
History.com (2010) The Battle of Actium. At: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-actium (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Mythencyclopedia.com (s.d) Aurora. At: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Ar-Be/Aurora.html (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Newworldencyclopedia.com (2008) Uranus (mythology). At: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Uranus_%28mythology%29 (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Vatican Museums. (s.d) Augustus of Prima Porta. At: http://mv.vatican.va/4_ES/pages/z-Patrons/MV_Patrons_04_03.html (Accessed on 16.06.15)
Carosio, Renzo. (2009) History of the Cane Corso. At: http://www.oldworldcanecorso.com/breedhistory.html (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Elia, Josephine & Erickson, Erika & Lee, Stephanie & Yu, Zoe. (2005) Augustus of Prima Porta. At:http://web.mit.edu/21h.402/www/primaporta/description/ (Accessed on 16.05.15)
Ford, Josh. (2015) Augustus the Divine. At: http://ancientart.as.ua.edu/augustus-of-prima-porta/ (Accessed on 16.06.15)
History.com (2010) The Battle of Actium. At: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-actium (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Mythencyclopedia.com (s.d) Aurora. At: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Ar-Be/Aurora.html (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Newworldencyclopedia.com (2008) Uranus (mythology). At: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Uranus_%28mythology%29 (Accessed on 17.06.15)
Vatican Museums. (s.d) Augustus of Prima Porta. At: http://mv.vatican.va/4_ES/pages/z-Patrons/MV_Patrons_04_03.html (Accessed on 16.06.15)
images
Figure 1. Augustus of prima porta (15 a.d) [Sculpture]
At: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Statue-Augustus.jpg (Accessed on 16.06.15)