Propaganda was as strong, if not stronger, during the days of the mighty Roman Empire as it is today. With easy access of television and twitter, politicians took a more artistic approach to spreading their message. From coins to monuments, Roman rulers saw to it that their images was known. A prime example is Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, who, “ invoked the power of imagery to communicate his ideology” (Fischer). The sculpture modeled after him, Augustus of Primaporta, holds both artistic and political significance in Ancient Roman history.
Most historians agree that this is a marble replica of a bronze original, which may have dated back to 20 B.C.The original was constructed to pay homage to the victory of Rome in its battle with the Parthians. The marble sculpture in existence today was most likely commission and embellished by Augustus’ adopted son, Tiberius, in 15 A.D. The figure is based on the Doryphorus, a prominent Greek statue portraying an athletic youth with the same canonical proportions ("Augustus of Prima Porta"). This sculpture was discovered in 1863 A.D. in the villa belonging Augustus’ wife in Primaporta, hence the title of the work of art. It is currently on display at the …show more content…
He was likely older, not as fit, and suffered from a blemish or two. However, sculpted into marble, he is perfect. Sculptures like the Augustus of Primaporta allowed emperors of this time to be viewed as they wanted to be. They stood in busy, public centers looking youthful and godlike. Augustus of Primaporta showed a powerful figure that Romans could confidently stand behind and trust to keep them secure and prosperous. It is a glorified campaign ad at its heart. It is less a sculpture of Augustus ' human form than it is his ideology. Today, museum goers, art historians, and research students alike, gaze upon the sculpture and feel the power and might that emanated from Emperor
Most historians agree that this is a marble replica of a bronze original, which may have dated back to 20 B.C.The original was constructed to pay homage to the victory of Rome in its battle with the Parthians. The marble sculpture in existence today was most likely commission and embellished by Augustus’ adopted son, Tiberius, in 15 A.D. The figure is based on the Doryphorus, a prominent Greek statue portraying an athletic youth with the same canonical proportions ("Augustus of Prima Porta"). This sculpture was discovered in 1863 A.D. in the villa belonging Augustus’ wife in Primaporta, hence the title of the work of art. It is currently on display at the …show more content…
He was likely older, not as fit, and suffered from a blemish or two. However, sculpted into marble, he is perfect. Sculptures like the Augustus of Primaporta allowed emperors of this time to be viewed as they wanted to be. They stood in busy, public centers looking youthful and godlike. Augustus of Primaporta showed a powerful figure that Romans could confidently stand behind and trust to keep them secure and prosperous. It is a glorified campaign ad at its heart. It is less a sculpture of Augustus ' human form than it is his ideology. Today, museum goers, art historians, and research students alike, gaze upon the sculpture and feel the power and might that emanated from Emperor