Museum of the Ara Pacis Augustae

Q: What are the messages of Ara Pacis Augustae?

The Ara Pacis was the instrument that Augustus used to spread his message of Augustan peace and give his people piety, peace, prosperity, and fertility. Through the use of propaganda, Augustus used the Ara Pacis to declare his victory over the western provinces and spread the idea that he was descended from the gods.

Q: What does Ara Pacis commemorate?

Ara Pacis honors the peace and prosperity that Emperor Caesar Augustus brought to Rome.

Q: When was the Ara Pacis excavated?

The major excavation of the Ara Pacis took place in 1937-38, under what was then a corner of the Palazzo Fiano-Almagià and adjoining street, the Via in Lucina.

Q: How was the Ara Pacis designed?

White marble that had previously been beautifully painted was used to construct the Ara Pacis. It is made up of an extensively caved exterior wall that encloses a space called the precinct, which houses the actual sacrificial altar, and measures approximately 11 meters by 11 meters.

Written by: Kate Zusmann

The Ara Pacis Museum (ital. Museo dell’Ara Pacis) belongs to the museum system run by Rome City Council; it is in the Ara Pacis of Augustus (Ara Pacis Augustae), an ancient monument originally unveiled on January 30, 9 BC.

Contents

Why was the Ara Pacis constructed?

What are the messages of Ara Pacis Augustae?

What does Ara Pacis commemorate?

When was the Ara Pacis excavated?

How was the Ara Pacis designed?

History

In 13 BC, the Roman Senate decided to erect an altar in honor of Emperor Augustus. Four years later, in the year 9 AC, the Ara Pacis Augustae, or Augustus’ Altar of Peace was dedicated. A magnificent monument that honors the peace and prosperity that Emperor Caesar Augustus brought to Rome.

This marble monument honors the peace that the emperor brought to the Mediterranean after his successful campaigns in Hispania and Gaul. It was situated in Campo Marzio, a large territory outside the city limits that served as the northern gateway to Rome via the Via Flaminia, now Via del Corso. When the legions returned from a battle, they practiced purification rituals here.

Subsequently, the structure vanished by the beginning of the second century AD. The monument was eventually covered in Tiber River mud, and the area’s urbanization resulted in the loss of the site. In the 20th century, this historical site was moved from Campo Marzio to the Tiber Bank and set up in front of the Augustus Mausoleum, where it is now. It was recovered from a Renaissance building’s foundation.

What is the Ara Pacis nowadays?

As a temple where only priests and vestals participated in the sacrifice of sacred animals, the Ara Pacis is one of the most important structures from Ancient Rome.

Interestingly, the Ara Pacis monument is an altar housed inside a closed Carrara marble construction. Its remarkable decoration includes several reliefs depicting the Augustan family in procession. In addition, there are several allegories about the founding of Rome.

Ara Pacis Structure

The museum of the Ara Pacis is the first significant architectural and urban intervention in Rome’s historic center since Fascism. It was created by American architect Richard Meier and is made of steel, travertine, glass, and plaster. This triumphal-style structure is a reference to ancient Rome.

Undoubtedly, the white color highlights the style of Richard Meier’s work. Moreover, the travertine slabs adorning part of the building reflect design changes (aluminum surfaces were originally planned) that were made after the design review to account for the controversy that sparked nostalgia for the previous pavilion built on the same site in 1938 by the architect Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo.

Criticism of the Museum

The structure of the Museum of the Ara Pacis has generated debate. Vittorio Sgarbi, a noted art critic and controversialist, described it as “a Texas gas station on the very ground of one of the most important urban centers in the world” and the first step towards the “internationalization” of Rome. The New York Times considered it a failure. However, there are different viewpoints; for instance, Achille Bonito Oliva admired Meyer’s design.

Useful information

Address: Lungotevere in Augusta, Rome
Official Website: www.arapacis.it
Phone: +39 06 3600 3471

Tickets and Videoguides

Free admission to the museum of the Ara Pacis on the first Sunday of the month: everyone is allowed to the Ara Pacis EXCLUDING the exhibition space.
Only Museum, ONLINE pre-sale, by calling the Call Centre 060608 or from the ticket offices of the Museum (only for the following days and only by credit card) with a pre-sale fee of € 1.
Same-day purchase (by cash or by credit card without pre-sale fee) at the ticket office:
adults € 10,50
concessions € 8,50
For the residents of Rome’s Capital and the metropolitan area (showing a valid document certifying their residence):
adults € 9,50
concessions € 7,50

Fix price transfer from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome

€60.00

You can find detailed information on tickets prices and exhibitions here

Have a pleasant visit to the Museum of the Ara Pacis!

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)