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Summary imperial image sources
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Mausoleum of AugustusContext Campus Martius
What?: Large tomb to hold Augustus’ remains, and those of the Imperial family. • Field of Mars.
When?: Work began 28 BC; completed 23 BC. (Plans had begun even before • An area outside of the city walls.
Augustus deferated Mark Antony – gaining support of Roman people - significant • Burial not allowed within walls.
for battle of Actium) • An area previously under-developed, and thus became a major focus for
Where?: Campus Martius, Rome. Close to the river Tiber. Augustan building schemes.
• Location of the Pantheon, Ara Pacis and a monumental Horologium.
Structure Purpose
• Circular structure. • A large and visible statement, with substantial impact on the cityscape.
• 42 metres high. • Larger than other tomb structures in Rome – impressive, stands out
• Supported an earth mound. • Conveyed power, authority and wealth.
• A bronze statue of Augustus at the top, that was probably visible from some • Symbolised the then young Octavian’s commitment to Rome and Rome’s
distance. importance as the centre of the Empire.
• Spaces for multiple burials. These were marked by individual epitaphs. • Differentiated Augustus (Octavian) from Antony, since Antony had planned
• In park-like setting and close to other important Augustan buildings – parkland to be buried in Alexandria in Egypt (Augustus exposed Antony to the senate by
could be used by Roman people – was visible and building seemed to be a gift sharing his will which stated this – gained support of the senate).
for their enjoyment • Claim to familial continuity and dynastic stability.
• Note the term mausoleum is derived from the name Mausolus (377-353 BC), • Part of plan to develop the Campus Martius, and aggrandize Rome.
who was commemorated by a large tomb at Halicarnassus. The tomb of
Mausolus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Death of Augustus Themes
• Died in AD 14 at Nola (Italy), decades after the mausoleum was built. Imperator – strong, committed ruler – contrast to Antony
• The corpse was brought back to Rome, cremated, and the remains interred Family – dynasty building
inside the mausoleum. Peace – symbol of stability and continuity – Augustus’ presence is endless
• Two bronze pillars were set up outside, inscribed with the Res Gestae. Pater patriae – emphasises Augustus’ devotion to Rome – gift to Roman people
• The Mausoleum continued to be used throughout the Julio-Claudian dynasty. (parkland)
• Augustus’ disgraced daughter, Julia, was denied burial there.
Sebasteion
Context Purpose
What?: A temple complex dedicated to Venus and the Divine Augustus Temple complex dedicated to Aphrodite
When?: 20AD-60AD( from the reign of Tiberius to Nero) Depicts imperial family – celebrates them – strengthens relationship with
Where?Aphrodisias – modern day turkey provinces
Shows later emperors wanted to be associated with augustus
,Wall depicting augustus Depiction of others
Shows augustus carrying a trophy with nike – eagle and captive by his side Nike
Portrayal of augustus - Goddess of victory – associates Augustus with victory
- Similar face and expression to prima porta – military success - Greek goddess – Augustus accepts foreign gods
- Relaxed pose – contrapposto Trophy
- Portrayed as a god – naked and wearing Jupiter’s aegis – shows his - Represents defeated enemy
divine authority Captive
- Holding a sceptre – shows his rule as emperor – sceptre is associated - Hands and arms bound behind back
with imperial rule – all powerful - Depicts the defeated
Similar depiction as augustus in his life showing his image has been maintained Roman eagle
(except from his imperial rule and depiction as a god) - Represents roman military and army
Relief depicting Octavian from the Kalabasha Gate
Context Egyptian Religion
What?: Engraved depiction of Augustus making an offering • Isis – Egyptian goddess
When?: 30BC • Romans were open to other religions as long as they were polytheistic – like the
Where?: The Kalabsha Gate – Temple of Mandulus Egyptian gods – as it meant people would be willing to respect their gods too
• Isis was a favourite Egyptian god to many Romans
• Romans seeing this image would not be outraged through Augustus’ offering to her
Depiction of Augustus Purpose
• As a pharaoh – despite never being crowned ruler of Egypt – shows he was excepted • shows Augustus' diverse representation throughout the empire
into their culture as the leader
• Son of JC – the hieroglyphics above his head say ‘The Roman’ ‘Caesar the god, son of a
god’ – highlighting Augustus’ relation to JC
• Shirt less with a large necklace and crown, short skirt – typical for Egyptian royalty – not
portrayed as Roman – again shows his acceptance into their culture
• Making an offering to Isis of 3 field symbols – pietas, maintaining pious image to
Egyptian audience
• Non realistic style (you can’t recognise Augustus) – not typical for Roman depictions
Meroe Head of Augustus Themes
• More classical depiction of Augustus found in Egypt – similar to prima porta •Religious – offering to Isis – respectful of many gods even in other provinces –
• Augustus portrayed a mixed image of himself in Egypt – perhaps to cater to Egyptians Egyptians would favour Augustus for this
as well as Romans in the province • Divi Filius – hieroglyphics - ‘Caesar the god, son of a god’
• Peace – offering of fields – representative of prosperity and nature – will not disturb
natural balance in Egypt
• Imperator – shows the expanse of the Roman empire – Augustus accepted into
Egyptian culture as their leader
, Res Gestae Divi Augusti
Context Elogium
What?: ‘The Deeds of the Divine Augustus’. An autobiographical account of Augustus’ life • Epitaphs telling of the life and times of the deceased were not unusual.
& achievements. • Just as tombs might be built early, epitaphs might be composed in anticipation of
When?: AD 13/AD 14 (Augustus claims to be 76 at the time of writing). death.
Where?: It was inscribed on bronze pillars set up outside the mausoleum, as requested in • Or epitaphs could be set up by family, sometimes drawing on the content of the
Augustus’ will. These pillars are lost, but the text was reproduced and displayed across eulogy delivered at the funeral.
the empire, including at the Temple of Augustus and Rome in Ankara (Turkey). • The Res Gestae is extra-long –more like an autobiography than an epitaph.
• Immodest perhaps, but defines Augustus as a great Roman, a man of many
achievements who deserved to be remembered.
Style Structure / content
• Written in first person. 35 paragraphs. 4 sections.
• 2,500 words in length. • 2-14: Political career (offices & political honours; including what Augustus refused). ‘At
• Succinct & straightforward writing style. the age of 19, on my own initiative’ - impressive
• Focused on life and achievements. • 15-24: Public benefactions (lists donations of money, land & grain to citizens &
• Few direct references to family & ancestors. soldiers; lists public works & gladiatorial spectacles; emphasises done with Augustus’
• Focuses on actions (e.g. public works) in Rome, rather than whole empire. own money) – 2 thousand, 400 million sesterces given to treasury/ plebeians
• Does not lie. After all main events and actions were public knowledge. /soldiers(veterans)
• Does omit names and certain details. • 25-33: Military achievements (lists military deeds & alliances forged)
• Augustus presents himself positively. • 34-35: Political statement (returns Republic to Senate; Augustus honoured by the
• Not objective. people & Senate)
What’s left unsaid: Purpose
• Enemies not mentioned by name. • Augustus writes his own story from his own perspective.
• No direct reference to civil wars. • He leaves a positive account as his legacy.
• The term ‘faction’ covers Antony, his supporters and the battle of Mutina. • Emphasis on refusal of positions e.g. Pontifex Maximus as Lepidus was still alive
• Brutus and Cassius are ‘those men who had murdered my father’ (he exiled them – (shows his respect for tradition and values of the Republic – not powerhungry)
getting revenge) – Augustus known to be avenging (created temple to Mars the Avenger) • He presents the best possible version of himself.
• Sextus Pompeius and his followers are called ‘pirates’. • An adept public relations move.
• Imperium maius is not mentioned. • Emphasises that he was the first among equals and had restored traditional
• Augustus’ exceptional tribunical powers are omitted. government
• There are frequent references to the Senate and magistrates, and that Augustus acted • To some extent it works – and may have contributed to Augustus being remembered
on their behalf, sticking to Republican rules. as a ‘good’ emperor.
• Later authors (e.g. Tacitus) appear to have used it when composing their own works.
Themes
Imperator – ‘at the age of 19, on my own initiative and at my own expense I raised an
army’ – begins res gestae with this (importance)
‘waged wars throughout the whole world’ (expansive empire)
‘naval battle show’ – depicts Greek beating Persians (West beating east) – would remind
people of Actium
‘I recovered the military standards that had been lost by other generals’ – Return of the
standards – A completes what other Romans have not been able to
Pater Patriae – Reference to Gaius and Lucius – consuls and strong militarily – good
father figure
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