Ara PacisIn the middle years of Augustus’s reign, the Roman senate ordered a huge altar, the Ara Pacis, built to honor him and the peace he had brought to the empire. This was decorated with life-size reliefs of Augustus and members of his family, prominent Romans, and other people and deities. One side, shown here, depicts a goddess figure, most likely the goddess Peace herself, with twin babies on her lap, flanked by nymphs representing land and sea, and surrounded by plants and animals. (Scala/Art Resource, NY)> PICTURING THE PASTANALYZING THE IMAGE: What do the elements depicted here most likely symbolize?
CONNECTIONS: The Ara Pacis was among a number of works of public art designed to commemorate the deeds of Augustus. Why might the senate and Augustus have commissioned such works? Can you think of contemporary parallels?