Ara Parcis of Augustus

North and South Faces (Upper Register)

The relief figures on the upper register of the north and south exterior walls are arranged in two groups. On the south wall the relief depicts the Imperial family, Agrippa various priests and Augustus himself partaking in a religious ceremony. They are a complex combination of historical characters, represented by their portrait heads, and representatives of the various priestly and senatorial offices that can be identified by the regalia. The north wall similarly contains a relief of the officials taking part in a religious procession; officials such as magistrates and senators gather with their families. On both sides the figures are captured in a single moment as they participate in a procession. On both sides where the procession is depicted, Roman veristic style sculpture is evident in the facial portraits of many of the characters, making them very easy to identify. What is interesting about these friezes is that Augustus is also depicted alongside these people of senate and those among the Imperial family – however he is not easy to identify so much that he stands out. Augustus portrays himself modestly, depicted as equal with others depicted, reinforcing his idea of ‘princeps’ – that he is only first among equals. This too is a strategic form of propaganda, as Augustus knows exactly what happens to those who state their supremacy too obviously; his adoptive father Julius Caesar being the first poor example. By that time also [29 BC], Augustus had refused to accept any triumphal honours, so other means had to be found to officially celebrate his return; this altar becoming one of them.

Western Panels (Upper Register)

On the left side of the western face the panel is believed to sho...

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...figures with billowing veils. To her left a figure riding a swan, flying over a profusion of crops – a personification of the wind of the land. The ‘wind of the land’ could be emblematic of the military success upon land, as well the abundant harvest gathered in the Golden Age of Augustus. To her right sits a figure riding what looks to be a sea serpent, as it lingers over water – a personification of the wind of the sea. The ‘wind of the sea’ could parallel that of the wind of the land, his militant success and the abundant seas providing for the people during the Golden Age of Augustus. The ‘wind’ illustrated in this panel can allude to the divine support Augustus and the empire receive on land and over sea’s. All in all the depiction portrays the wealth, abundance and bounty of Augustan peace; this way of life accredited to none other than Augustus and his gods.