Prima Porta Augustus

FACT FILE  Date - believed to have been commissioned in 15 A.D. by Augustus’ adopted son Tiberius. Although it may be a copy of a bronze original, dated 20 B.C  Location - It was discovered at Prima Porta nine miles outside of Rome in the villa belonging to Augustus’ wife Livia  Size m high  Materials – Marble  discovered on April 20, 1863

Write down the similarities between each work. Write down the differences between each work. Roman period copy of the Doryphoros of Polykleitos in the Naples National Archaeological Museum 1st Century AD TypeWhite Marble LocationVatican Museums, Rome This is a copy, probably made for Livia after the death of Augustus (14 A.D.), of a bronze statue erected in honour of Augustus shortly after 20 B.C.

Add these to your list  Both muscular athletic male body with anatomical features evident  Both freestanding portrait sculpture  Doryphoros is nude- Augustus is dressed  Both have idealised facial features  Both have a support at the back of their leg to help support the work  Both are standing in the contraposto stance  Augustus has detailed drapery and relief sculpture evident on his chest  Both have head turned to side and arms raised

It is evident that the image of Augustus from the beginning of the Roman Empire has drawn significant inspiration from its Greek predecessor. Write down any ideas you have as to why this might be?  Consider  Message being conveyed  Where the statue may be displayed  What the statue may have been used for  Differences between Greek and Roman cultures  The role of leaders during the period being made  The attitudes to the male nude body

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How old do you think Augustus looks in this?

Probably in his 40s! What message would he be trying to convey with this idealization? Augustus wanted to portray himself as a perfect leader with flawless features, personifying the power and authority of the emperor who had the capacity to stabilize a society and an empire. He has a smooth brow, no lines or wrinkles under his eyes, his hair is stylised and his jaw and neck is smooth. All provide an idealised image of him.

Reasons for Similarities –  Recalling ancient Greece A distinct resemblance to Polykleitos’Doryphoros a Classical Greek sculpture of the fifth century BCE, is apparent. Both have a similar contrapposto stance and both are idealized. That is to say that both Augustus and the Spear-Bearer are portrayed as youthful and flawless individuals: they are perfect. The Romans often modeled their art on Greek predecessors. This is significant because Augustus is essentially depicting himself with the perfect body of a Greek athlete: he is youthful and virile, despite the fact that he was middle-aged at the time of the sculpture’s commissioning. Furthermore, by modeling the Primaporta statue on such an iconic Greek sculpture created during the height of Athens’ influence and power, Augustus connects himself to the Golden Age of that previous civilization. 

Messages conveyed Bare feet indicate he is a hero or god Cupid riding a dolphin refers to His claim to family (the gens Julia) descent from Venus, Mother of cupid. Handsome idealised, youthful young man, With smooth skin and brow. Augustus is essentially depicting himself with the perfect body of a Greek athlete In the pose of adlocutio: his right arm is raised, and the fact that he is wearing armour suggests that he is addressing his soldiers.. It identifies the figure as a man of authority. He probably carried a laurel wreath of victory in his hand.

In this detailed image identify all the anatomical features you can see through the “leather” of the breastplate (cuirass ). The artist has drawn upon Greek representations of the male nude for this feature. The following page shows a diagram of the cuirass of Augustus. What can you identify there?

The central scene refers to an event that took place in 20 B.C.: a Parthian King returns the Roman military insignia, lost by Crassus in 53 B.C., to Augustus’ legate (Tiberius). The whole cosmos witnesses this success of the Augustan policy of pacification: above, Caelus raising his outspread mantle, Sol on a quadriga,, Tellus, the Roman earth goddess Apollo, holding a lyre, on a winged griffin Diana, holding a torch, on a stag personifications of Dawn and Dew

Historical Context  To the common people Augustus was almost like a God on earth. He had bought peace and prosperity to Rome after years of civil war. But to be worshipped as a god was a dangerous thing, Caesar had been assassinated for it. If Augustus allowed the people to worship him like a god he may have lost the support of the nobility. Yet this work was excellent political propaganda as it referred to a divine link indirectly.  Furthermore, by modeling the Primaporta statue on such an iconic Greek sculpture, as the Doryphoros, created during the height of Athens’ influence and power, Augustus connects himself to the Golden Age of that previous civilization.