The Statue of Augustus of Prima Porta

The Statue of Augustus of Prima Porta

The Statue of Augustus of Prima Porta was found in 1863 in Rome in the suburb of Prima Porta. The figure measures 7 ft. (2.08 m) tall. The statue is made up of marble and adopts features from a Greek athletic statue from the fifth century B.C., the Doryphoros of Polykleitos.

The construction of the face renders a youthful emperor with a broad cranium and a narrow mouth, sharply ridged eyebrows, an aquiline nose, and a rounded mouth. The hairs are arranged in a comma shape, and the neck is broad and short. The cuirass is covered with figures which commemorate Augustus’ victory over the Parthians. The hand shows a domineering posture, emphasizing the image of Augustus as a powerful ruler of Rome.

The robe is an enhancement of Augustus’ sanctity and also an indication of the close connection to Caesar and the divine world. The Cupid and Dolphin emphasize Augustus’ claim to the divine lineage of the Julian family to Aeneas, the founder of Italy, and Venus. The dolphin refers to the birth of Venus, who emerged from the sea and also depicted Augustus’ naval victory. Finally, the pose of the statue represents bare legs, which is an illustration of the notion of Augustus’ divinity.