-Idealized view of the Roman emperor -Contrapposto->spear bearer -Barefoot -> standing on sacred ground -On his breastplate there are a number of gods -Traits of Augustus; part in the hair over left eye, 2 locks over the right eye -Marble -bas-relief carving on breastplate -likely a copy of a bronze sculpture, many copies would have been made
--Confusion between God and man intentional -> divine ruler -Breastplate -> warrior -Judges robes -> civic order -Base: cupid on back of dolphin -> Augustus’ divine -Filled with Roman political ideology
-Portrait(for his wife) -Visual propaganda showing Augustus’ military prowess and the Religion of Rome
Context
--Augustus told the people that he was trying to reestablish the senate, however, he was trying to stabilize the government so he could instate himself as Rome’s first real emperor. -Cupid is significant because Augustus claims his ancestors are: Aeneas(founder of Rome and son of Venus, hence the Cupid) and Julius Caesar(made into a god) -The dolphin cupid rides symbolizes Augustus’ win in the Battle of Actium; beating Antony and Cleopatra with naval power making Augustus ruler