Fragments of the Ara Pacis Augustae
Hypothetical reconstruction of fragments of two friezes from the sacrificial altar
Of the hundreds of small carved fragments uncovered when excavating the Ara Pacis, scholars have gradually sorted out and catalogued over 300 pieces judged to be part of the Ara Pacis itself. Some 18 of these are thought to be parts of friezes on the sacrificial altar. The size of the heads and portions of figures suggest that these came from 2 friezes of different height, thus referred to as the small and large friezes. Scholars have suggested a variety of possible identifications for these figures.
On display in the lower level of the Museo dell'Ara Pacis. A clear, detailed account of the excavation and scholalry study and reconstruction of fragments from the Ara Pacis is provided in the museum's impressive guidebook by Orietta Rossini, Ara Pacis, Comune di Roma (2006) pp. 93-99.
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Hypothetical reconstruction of 11 fragments from a portion of the so-called "small frieze". Scholars have disagreed on its location. Four are plaster reconstructions based on original photographs of lost original fragments. "Realization of the panel by DART s.n.c." photo Oct. 2008 |
Three of the fragments in the photo at left. Two are plaster reconstructions based on photos of lost original fragments. photo May 2010
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Female head in photos at left, thought to be part of the so called "small frieze". photo May 2010
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Four of the fragments in the photo above. One is a plaster reconstructions based on photos of a lost original fragment. photo May 2010
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Standing figure with toga, thought to be part of the so-called "small frieze". photo May 2010
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"Crosssection through the Ara Pacis". This drawing indicates the probable location of 3 friezes. Just below the volutes at the top is a very short frieze, too small for the fragments illustrated here. Two larger friezes are shown on the sacrificial table and the podium. Scanned from Heinz Kähler, "Die Ara Pacis und die Augusteische Friedensidee",Jahrbuch des Deutschen Archäologischen Institutes, vol. 69 (1954), p. 90, with appreciation. |
Hypothetical reconstruction of 5 fragments from a portion of the so-called "large frieze". Scholars have disagreed on its location. "Realization of the panel by DART s.n.c." photo Oct. 2008 |
Profile view of same female head as in photo at right, thought to be part of the so called "large frieze". photo May 2010
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3/4 view of female head, thought to be part of the so called "large frieze". photo May 2010
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Lower portion of standing figure, thought to be part of the so called "large frieze". photo May 2010
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Lower portion of standing figure, thought to be part of the so called "large frieze". photo May 2010 |
"Reconstruction of the eastside of the Ara Pacis". This drawing shows the proposed location of 3 friezes on the back of the sacrificial altar. Scanned from Heinz Kähler, "Die Ara Pacis und die Augusteische Friedensidee",Jahrbuch des Deutschen Archäologischen Institutes, vol. 69 (1954), p. 85, with appreciation.
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