myth: public roman art

Temple of Apollo Sosianos

In Campus Martius, refurbished by Sosius after Actium in 34BC.

Pediment has Amazonomachy (reused from earlier Greek temple – success in East over Cleopatra reflects images) i.e Athena as central figure, Herakles, Theseus. Statue group of Niobids – reflects revenge done on JC assassins and honour power to revenge those who slighted him.

Basilica Aemilia, Roman Forum

Constructed by censor in 179 BCE, rebuilt in fire in 14 BCE by Augustus – unsure date frieze.

Pentelic marble frieze on interior entablature of colonnade. Only small part (21m) survives.

Scene of building city walls on a panel: female figure unidentified but maybe personified Rome or goddess overseeing.

Rape of the Sabine Women on panel: abduction Sabines as wives for Roman men. Physicality implies rape clear. Relationship to Amazonomachy imagery? Othering of the women in both cases.

            See google doc for Livy vs Ovid passages comparison.

Panel of punishment of Tarpeia: Tarpeia one breast bared (vulnerable), frontal, used as a negative exemplum of treachery and maybe link to Roman marriage laws on loyalty.

Forum of Augustus

Centred around temple of Mars Ultor promised by Augustus. Dedicated in 2 BCE. Housed the standards captured by Parthians.

Cult statue of Mars (foundation myth), with Venus statue (Julian ancestor), and deified JC statue. 108 statues of figures eg. Julian gens (Aeneas), Romulus, summi viri, in centre was quadriga and inscriptions pater patriae.

            Mix of historical and myth exempla. Alignment Augustus with Aeneas (pietas).

Ovid, Fasti describes temple in detail.

Similar themes in Ara Pacis: real historic figures and event commemorated. Two mythical scenes on front panels i.e Lupercal scene and sow sacrifice.

well done!