Augustus Caesar - Item #400

  88 Inches High Augustus's features are idealized here as he desired for his portraits. No matter his age, the Roman emperor who ruled from 27 B.C.E. to 14 C.E. would direct that a new portrait depict him as a handsome, young man. Even after his death sculptors continued to show him in the way he desired, as was the case with this statue. Here he is shown in the Greek classic style of the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.E. with simplified features, a straight line from forehead to nose, and overlapping locks of hair. The breastplate, consisting of detailed reliefs, is full of allegorical and political statements. The central image depicts a Parthian king returning the standard lost during the Battle of Carrhae to a Roman officer (or possibly the goddess Roma) while illustrated around them are gods and goddesses. Since the Julian family claimed to be descended from the goddess Venus, the sculpture includes her son Cupid riding a dolphin at Augustus's side. The original marble statue is likel