augustus and the temple of mars

year it was promised and why?

• 42BC

• Built because he promised it to Mars if he defeated Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Phillipi in 42BC

year dedicated?

• 2AD

• Also the year he became pater patriae

where was it built and what was it built from?

• Built across road from Julian Forum (the Forum built by Julius Caesar)

• Parian marble

reasons for building?

• The forum of Julius Caesar was now not big enough

• It fulfilled a need in the city whose population was increasing daily

• It expressed his political goals

• It placed his leadership of the Roman World in the context of his mythical and divine ancestors and those who helped make Rome great

what did suetonius say happened in the forum?

• Public prosecutions

• Casting lots for jury service

• To be used by Senate to deliberate war/peace

• For military commanders to leave for their provinces

• For victorious commanders to leave triumphal tokens there

• (For young boys to don the toga virillis – not in Suetonius but acceptable)

how was it paid?

• war booty

• it cost 100 million

PICTURE: Aeneas fleeing a burning Troy

• holding his father Anchises whose head is veiled like a priest

• holding his son Ascanius’ hand/rescuing the household gods.

• wearing armour and patrician shoes

PICTURE: Romulus

• carrying a victory trophy to celebrate defeating enemies

• winner of Romes first military parade

• in Roman armour as a great military figure (appropriate as the Temple is used to house military standards which have been paraded through the streets of Rome.)

PICTURE: Venus, Cupid, Mars and JC

• Other things found in the inner sanctuary = the Parthian standards which were originally housed at the Temple of Jupiter Ferretrius

PICTURE: Pediment of the Temple

• middle = mars

• right of mars = venus

• next to venus = romulus

• next to romulus = personification of palatine hill

• left of Mars = Fortuna with a cornucopia (see also the Prima Prota statue and Ara Pacis)

• Next to Fortuna = River Tiber

PICTURE: Reproduction of Quadringa of Augustus

• an equestrian statue

• in the centre of the forum

• inscription = pater patriae 2AD

• Governors who left for their provinces departed from this spot