Side with Augustus
original south side
Processional Frieze - Area between Augustus and Agrippa
We have no way of knowing the degree to which details of the reliefs were specified by the altar’s patrons, the Senate and Augustus. The effectiveness with which they express the complex programme of the state argues for close interaction of patrons and artists throughout the creative process. However, the extend to which this extended to the turn of the heads, placement of hands and feet, much less to details of carving, must remain an open question.
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Central section of the processional
relief on the original south side of the enclosing precinct wall, with
Augustus at the left and
Agrippa at the right in this photo.
photo July-Oct. 2008
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4 of the figures at the center of this photograph have been identified as flamines, among the leading members of the priestly orders of the state religion.
They are easily identified by their
distinctive leather caps (galerus), tied under the chin, with palmettes in front and behind the ears, with a point of olive wood mounted on a disk (apex) protruding from their caps. Two wear
a ring on their left hands.
photo Oct. 2008
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The depth and complexity of the processional figures is conveyed by
the juxtaposition of overlapping heads, which range from shallow reliefs
to 3/4 round heads.
photo Oct. 2008
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The quality and character of the original carving can be seen best in this and a few other well-preserved areas of the reliefs. Perhaps most notable is the intensely Roman character of the profile head in extremely low relief.
photo Oct. 2008
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"The block was excavated in 1937
and has never been subject to
reconstructive restoration work ".
Scanned from Giovanna Martellotti, "Reconstructive Restoration of Roman Sculptures: Three Case Studies", History of Restoration of Ancient Stone Sculptures, ed. Janet Burnett Grossman, Jerry Podany, and Marion True; Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2003, fig.11 (photo P. Rizzi). Reproduced with appreciation.
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Three of the least damaged or altered heads on any of the Ara Pacis reliefs. The fact that well-preserved heads
such as these have no incised pupils
or irises indicates that this was probably the original condition of eyes on all the heads, and that incised pupils or irises probaby indicate late antique recarving
to touch up the faces after paint had worn away.
photo Oct. 2008
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The flamen in low relief, toward the right in this photograph, has more distinctive features than the other 3 flamines (all 4 have the distinctive caps). This head has been identified as a last minute recarving of what was previously a togas, resulting from personnel changes after the
original 13BCE design of the frieze.
photo Oct. 2008 |
The figure at right is regularly identified as flaminius lictor, carrying a ritual axe
on his shoulder.
photo Oct. 2008
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The color in this photograph is more characteristic of this frieze than the other details on this page, most photographed in intense, direct sunlight.
photo May 2010
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