This Augustus in Prima Porta is on display at the Vatican
Museum, Rome. It is one of the many statues that were erected throughout the
empire during his reign. Every detail from head to toe symbolizes everything
about his character and achievement.
First, at Augustus’
right leg is cupid figure riding a dolphin. The dolphin became a symbol
of Augustus’ great naval victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle
of Actium in 31 BCE, a conquest that made Augustus the sole ruler of the
Empire. The cupid astride the dolphin sends another message too: that
Augustus is descended from the gods. Cupid is the son of Venus, the Roman
goddess of love. Julius Caesar, the adoptive father of Augustus, claimed to be
descended from Venus and therefore Augustus also shared this connection to the
gods.
Second, the "hand raised" symbolizes - his pride and his honor.
Finally, Augustus is wearing
a cuirass, or breastplate, that is covered with figures that communicate
additional propagandistic messages. Scholars debate over the
identification over each of these figures, but the basic meaning is clear:
Augustus has the gods on his side, he is an international military victor, and
he is the bringer of the Pax Romana, a peace that encompasses all the lands of
the Roman Empire.
