The word, propaganda, derives from the Latin meaning “spreading the faith.” Propaganda is the manipulation of information to influence public opinion. Like modern politicians, who think carefully about how they are portrays to the public through media, Roman arts were closely intertwined with politics and propaganda. One example of such art propaganda is the Portrait of Augustus as general, from Primaporta, Italy, early-first-century CE copy of bronze original of ca. 20 B.C.E. Marble, 6’8’’ high. Musei Vaticani, Rome. At first glance, this portrait shows Augustus as an orator and a general, but this sculpture also displays his power and ideology. It shows Augustus as a great military victor and a faithful supporter of Roman religion.
Augustus
Augustus