The Breastplate of the Statue

The cuirass of the statue signifies Augustus as the leader of military power. The breastplate is covered with figures and is a complex of Augustan and Tiberian propaganda. It commemorates Augustus' victory over the Parthians in 20 B.C. The figures on the breastplate have a cosmic setting. According to popular viewpoint, at the top is Caelus, the sky god. Below him are the Sun god, Sol in a four horse chariot and Aurora riding a female figure. On the left is a figure of Hispania (Spain) and at the right a captive female barbarian. Apollo and his lyre on a winged griffin and Diana on the back of a stag that crowned the Arch of Gaius Octavius on the Palatine come beneath1. Below, the Mother Earth Tellus reclines and cradles two babies and a cornucopia full of fruits. Both the images of the sky god and the Mother Earth imply peace that results from the victory3. The gods on the breastplate suggests that Augustus' victory has a cosmic favor.

The figures at the center are the most important feature. The figure on the right is identified as a Parthian barbarian because of his tunic and baggy trousers. It is believed that it refers to Phraates IV, the Parthian king. He is holding a Roman standard which was lost by the Roman general Crassus to the Parthians in the battle of Carrhae in 53 B.C1. The figure is returning the standard to the man on the left. The left figure is wearing a cuirass, a helmet, military boots, and accompanied by an animal which is believed to be either a dog or a she-wolf, representing the Roman army. This figure suggests an image of military protagonist; raising controversies on whom does this figure refer to. Some scholars identify it as Tiberius, who was Augustus' intermediary in the victory over the Parthians 1.

Click here for other interpretations of the breastplate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Ramage, 2005)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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