A little holiday Ara Pacis

If you aren’t occupied with present openings and feasting tables, here is a great video on the Ara Pacis narrated by Darius Arya of Ancient Rome Live to while away 15 minutes. Even if you are occupied with present openings and feasting tables, you could probably use a 15 minute break to enjoy a cool overview of Augustus’ Altar of Peace as it once was.

He explains its original location, using models to clarify the neighboring structures on the Campus Martius, then breaks down the processional relief, labelling the people involved by title, role and frequently by name. He talks about its polychrome paint that is long-gone, which plants were used to make which pigments/dyes, and presents various hypothetical projections of how the scenes from the altar might have looked when they were vibrant and colorful.

Best wishes for health and happiness to you and yours. 

* This article was originally published here