Comparison of Vergil and Augustan Arts
The epic poem The Aeneid, written by Vergil, is considered one of the greatest epic poems ever written. Vergil wrote the Aeneid during the rule of Augustus. Like Vergil, Augustus was a man of the arts who built large monuments with ornate detail and opulence. This detail and opulence in Augustus’ visual arts is ever present in Vergil’s Aeneid. Both men used visual art in the same ways: to emphasize Roman glory, and most of all to “outdo” their predecessors. Images depicted by Augustus such as the breastplate of Augustus on the Prima Porta and the Temple of Mars Ultor, can be compared to Vergil’s description of the Shield of Aeneas and the Temple of Juno. These visual art pieces all share a common theme; they share the theme of “Glorious Rome” and extravagance in attempt to outdo their predecessors.
The Breastplate of Augustus from the Prima Porta is most comparable to Vergil’s description of the Shield of Aeneas. The Breastplate of Augustus is supposed to represent Pax Romana and the return of the standards “aquilae” that was lost by Crassus (Ramage and Ramage). This breastplate draws attention to Augustus’ great diplomacy and the glory he brought back to Rome. However, the emphasis on Crassus failure and Augustus’ success cannot be ignored. Augustus models his art to depict where his predecessors failed and he succeeded. The Shield of Aeneas described by Vergil, portrays the future success and greatness of Rome. It is a representation of Aeneas’ destiny and the destiny of Rome. Beyond this destiny, the shield represents Vergil attempting to outdo his predecessor, Homer. Homer’s “Iliad,” tells the story of how Hephaestus forged a shield for Achilles that portrayed Greek life, which contained many contradictions (Iliad, 18:478-608). Achilles shield contained symbols of war and peace, farming and city life, etc. This shield shows no great destiny or glorious city. It is a true portrait of what Achilles’ (Homer, 18:478-608). Vergil took the idea of a god forging a
The Breastplate of Augustus from the Prima Porta is most comparable to Vergil’s description of the Shield of Aeneas. The Breastplate of Augustus is supposed to represent Pax Romana and the return of the standards “aquilae” that was lost by Crassus (Ramage and Ramage). This breastplate draws attention to Augustus’ great diplomacy and the glory he brought back to Rome. However, the emphasis on Crassus failure and Augustus’ success cannot be ignored. Augustus models his art to depict where his predecessors failed and he succeeded. The Shield of Aeneas described by Vergil, portrays the future success and greatness of Rome. It is a representation of Aeneas’ destiny and the destiny of Rome. Beyond this destiny, the shield represents Vergil attempting to outdo his predecessor, Homer. Homer’s “Iliad,” tells the story of how Hephaestus forged a shield for Achilles that portrayed Greek life, which contained many contradictions (Iliad, 18:478-608). Achilles shield contained symbols of war and peace, farming and city life, etc. This shield shows no great destiny or glorious city. It is a true portrait of what Achilles’ (Homer, 18:478-608). Vergil took the idea of a god forging a
Cited: Dufallo, Basil. “Julio-Claudians.” Classic Civilization 102 Lecture. Ann Arbor, Michigan. March 27, 2013. Homer, . The Iliad . Chicago : The University of Chicago Press, 2011. Print. Ramage, Nancy, and Andrew Ramage. Roman Art. 5th. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson, 2009. Web. <https://ctools.umich.edu/access/content/group/8f5d54f7-707b- 4844-be2c-66ecd97b6367/readings/Augustan Art _Ramage _ Ramage_.pdf>. Vergil, . The Aeneid. New York City: Vintage Classics, 1990. Print.