Augustus as Pontiflex Maximus

myminifactory

**Model to be updated shortly** A digital model of this sculpture is available for download from Scan the world. Power, tradition, and propaganda. Augustus, the first emperor, also presented himself as Pontifex Maximus, the highest religious authority in Rome since the early kings to the Republican period: the past exploited to justify power. As would happen many times throughout history. This massive marble sculpture was named after its discovery in the Via Labicana, an ancient Italian road leading east-southeast from Rome. The road entered Rome through the Aurelian walls via the Porta Prenestina gate, where the sculpture may have originated. The sculpture is also known as Augustus as The Pontifex Maximus, the high priest of the College of Pontiffs in Ancient Rome. The Pontifex Maximum was the most important position in ancient Roman religion, open only to patricians until 245 BC, when a plebeian first occupied the post. A distinctly religious office under the early Roman Republic, it gradually became politicized until, beginning with Augustus, it was absorbed into the Imperial office. After Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus's exile, Augustus was given authority to appoint other pontifices, leading to the creation of this sculpture. It is a significant statue because it adds another aspect to Augustus' self-representation; not only is he the political head of the Roman Empire, but also its religious leader. In the Res Gestae 19-20, he discusses all his religious benefactions to Rome, such as building temples for Minerva, Queen Juno, and Jupiter Libertas. Augustan statues in statue form are highly controlled, with only three or four distinct subgroups; based on features like hairstyle detail, this may be classified as one of the "Prima Porta type." As with all Augustus' statues, he is depicted in an idealizing Greek style and appears much younger than his actual age at the time. This contrasts with traditional Republican Roman portraiture, which is realistic in its approach. This bust variant is another representation of a full-body sculpture of Augustus wearing the toga of The Pontifex Maximus, his head veiled and ready for sacrifice. In the full sculpture, he wears calcei patricii (shoes reserved for Patricians), extends his right arm to pour a libation, and has a cupsa (container for official documents) at his feet. This bust was scanned at the Casting Workshop of the Reunion des Musees Nationaux in Paris. The original sculpture is on permanent display at the National Museum of Rome's Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. This object is part of "Scan The World." Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access at no cost. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can participate. Scanned using photogrammetry (processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)