Ara Pacis

The Ara Pacis or 'Altar of Peace' was constructed in the decade before Jesus was born, to celebrate Rome's golden age under Augustus. The period was one of unprecedented stability and prosperity, which future generations looked back on as ideal; unlike the emperors who followed, Augustus was pious, lived in a modest pad, and didn't indulge in the decadent lifestyle (flamingo tongues for dinner, orgies for dessert etc) that we've come to associate with Roman emperors.

It is perhaps the most famous example of Roman sculpture, and has been pieced slowly together since the first marble fragments were rediscovered in the sixteenth century. It's about the size of a single garage, and shows various public personalities of the time in a pious procession. My favourite figure is the young child tugging at his or her mother's skirt.


I have to admit, though, that the building in which the altar is housed left me a little cold. It stickes out like a sore thumb as the most contemporary architectural structure in the Eternal City, and from the outside looks quite interesting. But the interior is sterile, and considering the entrance fee (with audio guide) was 10 euros, I don't think I was the only one who felt a little underwhelmed, despite the marvellousness of the altar itself.