1990/10/01 by Nancy Thomson de Grummond · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Classical Antiquity Studies #Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History #Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies #Altar #Honor #Art #Ancient history #Prosperity #Frieze #Sacrifice #Politics #Geography #Archaeology #History #Art history #Law
paper · doi:10.2307/505125
openalex publication_date 1990/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
The striking goddess in the relief on the east facade, south segment, of the Ara Pacis Augustae is here identified as Pax Augusta. She has around her numerous attributes of Pax and/or the Greek Eirene. In the background next to her are the poppies and grain seen on coins inscribed to Pax, and in her lap are the fruits often seen in the cornucopia of Pax, as well as the children nourished by the kourotrophos Eirene. At her feet are the sheep and cow appropriate for the sacrifice in honor of Pax as seen on the small interior frieze on the altar. The Greek goddess of peace was one of the three Horai (Horae), goddesses who brought justice and prosperity through the seasons, and it is argued here that Augustus and his advisors revived this Greek political concept. Pax is attended by two goddesses who are also Horae. They have traditionally been identified as Aurae, but the evidence for this identification is scant and ignores the fact that they wear wreaths, have bare breasts, and ride on animal mounts—all appropriate for Horae but not for Aurae. In the relief with Pax and the Horae may also be recognized allusions to winds, rain, and stars, as well as land and sea. Pax thus appears here as a goddess for all seasons in a rich cosmic milieu complementary to the horologium of Augustus nearby in the Campus Martius. The relief from Carthage in the Louvre, long recognized as closely related to the Ara Pacis, also shows Pax (without the Horae, but with similar allusions to the seasons).