Augustus and the Ara Pacis: Rome's Altar of Peace

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Ara Pacis Augustae, the altar of peace that Augustus built to celebrate his return from Gaul and Spain in 13 BCE. They discuss its discovery in the sixteenth century, its reconstruction in the twentieth, and its rich reliefs—from the mythological scenes of Aeneas and Romulus to the imperial family procession. You'll hear about the altar's location on the Campus Martius, its role in Augustan ideology, and the controversies over its interpretation. Lucas explains how the altar blends Greek and Roman styles, how it projects a message of stability after decades of civil war, and why it remains one of the most iconic monuments of Augustan Rome. The conversation also touches on the altar's afterlife, from its burial under the palazzo to Mussolini's reconstruction in 1938. A thoughtful look at how a monument can shape memory and identity. #AraPacis #Augustus #RomanArt #RomanHistory #AltarOfPeace #CampusMartius #ImperialRome #AugustanAge #RomanSculpture #RomanReligion #PaxRomana #RomanArchitecture #Mussolini #Rome #History #FexingoHistory #AncientArt #RomanEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo