Via Labicana Augustus

Via Labicana Augustus

Via Labicana Augustus is a marble statue of Augustus as Pontifex Maximus. This translates to ‘Augustus as high priest’, which highlights his status and legitimacy as the supreme religious and political leader of the Roman Empire. This life-size statue shows Augustus with his head veiled, wearing a toga and extending his arm outward. His (now) detached hands are thought to have held a sacrificial cup and a scroll. His gesture and garb indicate that he was performing a sacrifice. Augustus is depicted as a young man with a clean shaven face and few wrinkles. This statue is thought to have been completed in 12 BC or later and August would have been at least fifty years old. Augustus is idealized in this portrait, projecting an image of timeliness and strength to onlookers. This representation of Augustus is how he wanted to be seen by his empire. Today, this statue stands in the Palazzo Massimo.

Unknown

Julia Marx

After 12 BC

Julia Marx

Public domain

Marble

Statue