Augustus of Prima Porta, 1st century

Mini intro

Date: 1st century

Size: just over life size

Medium: marble

Private commission by Emperor Tiberius

Key facts (3)

Emperor Tiberius was adopted son and heir of Augustus

Augustus known as Pater Patriae ‘Father of the country’ or Princeps ‘The first citizen’

Posthumous commission

Anatomy (7)

Idealised but naturalistically depicted, blend of idealism and roman tradition of verism

Muscular (chest plate shows pectoral muscles), abdominals, defined calves and quads, Defined biceps and triceps

Large ears

Smooth skin, flawless white marble finish

Thick hair

Sharp cheekbones and jawline

Cupid seen on his right hand side seated on a dolphin acts as support but suggests Augustus is divinely descended from Venus

Pose (2)

Contrapposto - sense of dynamism

Arm raised in commanding gesture as would’ve been holding consular baton - ad locutio pose

Gaze and facial expression (3)

looking outwards to the left

Cherub looking up in awe

Stern, focused stare

Clothing (4)

Cuirass (armour, breastplate and back plate) has propaganda messages saying the Augustus has divine backing, victorious in international military

Robe - sets scene in Rome, folds create a sense of movement and luxury

No shoes - divine status

No laurel crown - distancing himself from dictatorial qualities of Julius Caesar