Ara Pacis Art Story | Location | Opening Hours Tickets | Authorisations
The Ara Pacis, Emperor Augustus' Altar of Peace in Rome
The Ara Pacis At the request of Emperor Caesar Octavian Augustus, the construction of the Ara Pacis, the Altar of Peace, was decided by the Roman Senate on 4 July 13 BC.
Its inauguration took place at the venue on 30 January 9 BC.
The Ara Pacis rests on a marble base measuring 11.63 metres by 10.65 metres, so it is not quite square, contrary to the impression one gets when standing in front of this superb ancient masterpiece.
This monument was located on the Campus Martius, the Field of Mars, a large green area in the heart of Rome, in the centre of which stood a 22-metre-high red granite obelisk.
The Ara Pacis A large sundial called the Horologium crossed the Campus Martius, and in the centre of it stood the obelisk of Psammetichus II (4th century BC), which had been brought from Heliopolis (Egypt) in 10 BC.
It stood on a base and was topped with a globe. Its total height was 30 metres.
This obelisk now stands in the centre of Piazza Montecitorio in Rome, opposite the Italian Parliament.
The Ara Pacis was primarily a religious monument, which is why its construction required numerous calculations to determine the exact position of the obelisk so that it would cast its shadow on the sacrificial altar located in the centre of the monument at sunset on 23 September.
Ara Pacis - The altar of sacrifices It should be noted that 23 September was the birthday of Emperor Augustus and that an Egyptian mathematician named Facondo Novio had been tasked with all these astronomical calculations.
For the obelisk was dedicated to the sun, and thus to Apollo, the patron name of Augustus!
Augustus was conceived on the winter solstice, after which the length of daylight increased each day, and the shadow of the obelisk's gnomon touched the Ara Pacis perfectly on the day of his birth.
The Ara Pacis All this was done to make the Romans understand the divine predestination of their emperor Augustus !
The Ara Pacis altar was a sacrificial altar dedicated to Pax, the goddess of peace.
More specifically, it was dedicated to the cult of “Pax Augusta”, the peace of Augustus.
The animal sacrifices, two cows and a goat (depicted on one of the altar walls), were performed by priests accompanied by six Vestal Virgins.
When you enter the Ara Pacis, you can see the twelve small channels dug at the foot of the outer walls, which allowed the water used to clean the altar of the blood of the sacrifices to be drained away.
The Tellus of the Ara Pacis The walls of the Ara Pacis depict these scenes of sacrifice, the gods and Roman symbols, as well as dignitaries and priests.
The “Tellus” Mother Earth, the “mother of the Romans, voluptuous pleasure of men and gods, the nurturing Venus.” occupies an entire panel to the left of the rear entrance of the Ara Pacis.
But the most impressive part is the processions depicted on the north and south sides of the Ara Pacis.
Procession of the Ara Pacis These processions feature Roman pontiffs, augurs, members of Augustus' family, the “Quindecemviri” the fifteen sacrificial priests, and the “Septemviri”, the priests who presided over the feasts given in honour of the gods after the sacrifices.
Numerous floral motifs with specific symbolic meanings also adorn the Ara Pacis.
Finally, this ancient masterpiece of sublime beauty in white marble was originally painted in different colours corresponding to the figures and foliage, flowers and fruits that decorate it.
The Ara Pacis Museum displays a few ancient sculptures in addition to the altar itself, and has a high-quality temporary exhibition space on the lower floor.
Ara Pacis Art Story | Location | Opening Hours Tickets | Authorisations
Back to Top of Page