Augustus of Prima Porta: Roman Emperor Sculpture

Augustus of Prima Porta: A Masterpiece of Roman Sculpture

Augustus of Prima Porta is a sculpture of the Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus Caesar, created by an unknown author. Caesar Octavian Augustus was appointed Emperor of Rome in 27 BC after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium and subsequently conquering Egypt. He was the nephew of Julius Caesar, who had adopted him as a child. Augustus was a very important general and held many titles that represented his power. During his reign, Jesus was born, and the Romans even named a month of the year after him: August. His rule was a time of great prosperity. He died in 14 AD and was succeeded by Tiberius, his stepson, the son of Livia.

The original statue was made of bronze, but it has been lost. The marble copy that exists today was discovered in 1863 during excavations of Livia’s house at Prima Porta, near Rome. The sculpture was commissioned by the Roman Senate and was used to reinforce the feeling of obedience to the sovereign in the provinces of the Empire. It is clear evidence of conquest and subjugation, but also a perfect example of a political propaganda campaign.

Description of the Sculpture

The sculpture depicts the Emperor standing barefoot on a pedestal, dressed in a tunic over which he wears a muscular cuirass carved with reliefs. A cloak, called a paludamentum, encircles his waist and is held by his left arm, creating a slight diagonal. His right arm is raised, exhibiting an attitude of authority and confidence. Under his right leg is the figure of Cupid riding a dolphin, a resource used by the sculptor to help sustain the enormous weight of the marble.

The statue’s proportions depict the classic Greek model of the Doryphoros by Polykleitos, as well as the use of the famous contrapposto: the torso is kept straight while the right hip is raised and the left leg is flexed. The Emperor’s face does not reflect an ideal beauty but shows his own individual features, although rejuvenated, achieving a psychological portrait in which authority and humanity are mixed. This realism can also be seen in the folds of the clothing and accessories, and in the careful and detailed work of the reliefs on the cuirass. All this detail is not present on the back of the statue, as it was usual for such images to be placed against a wall. Originally, the marble was polychrome with bright colors like red and blue.

Symbolism and Meaning

The sculpture represents Emperor Augustus in the military attire of a Roman general, in the act of urging on his legions of soldiers. Sculptures of this type functioned as a glorification of the Emperor. It is typical of the propaganda art style of the Roman Empire. The reliefs on the cuirass depict scenes with gods and the military history of the Emperor. On either side of the breastplate are representations of two provinces pacified under Augustus’ rule: Britannia (left) and Gaul (right). At the top are the sky, Helios (the sun), and Aurora (the day). There is also an image of his stepson Tiberius fighting the Parthians, and at the bottom of the cuirass, Diana and Apollo, the protective deities of the Imperial House.

In the original bronze statue, the Emperor wore sandals. However, in the marble copy made after his death, his wife Livia wanted him to be represented barefoot, a detail suggesting that the deceased was already in Olympus. The image of Cupid riding a dolphin alludes to the figures of the Greek goddess Aphrodite and indicates the divine origin of the Caesars.

Comparison with the Anavyssos Kouros

The Anavyssos Kouros in Greek sculpture dates from 510-500 BC and represents the Archaic Greek style. The Augustus of Prima Porta is a Roman sculpture from 20 BC (with regard to the bronze original) and 14 AD (with regard to the marble copy). At first glance, they may appear to be related to the same theme since both are commemorative. The Greek Kouros commemorates the death of a young athlete, Kroisos, killed in action, while the Roman statue commemorates the death of a great Emperor, Octavian Caesar Augustus.

From a formal perspective, they are two clear examples where one can compare the evolution of sculpture from the Archaic period to the time of Imperial Rome. The Kouros is rigid and hieratic, with an advanced leg, features such as the Archaic smile, almond-shaped eyes, and curled hair. In contrast, The Augustus of Prima Porta demonstrates naturalism and the use of contrapposto. Although the Emperor’s face does not reflect ideal beauty, it shows his own individual features to achieve a psychological portrait in which authority and humanity are combined.