The Ara Pacis was Augustus’ monument to his victory. It was a carefully crafted propaganda piece designed to remind the Roman People that it was he who had ended the chaos of the Late Republic, and that it was only through his guidance that the new peace would last.
Walking around this striking marble altar, the visitor sees a variety of beautiful friezes. On one side we have the Tellus panel, a goddess (possibly the goddess Tellus, the earth mother) decorated by fruits, vines and flowers, symbols of fertility.
On
another we have the hero, Aeneas and Romulus and Remus, the founders of the
Roman people. Children and religious
themes are featured prominently, stressing Augustus’ contention that a peaceful
Rome in the future depended on proper respect for religion, tradition and
lineage.
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