Augustus of Prima Porta is a 2.03m high (6.66 ') marble statue of Augustus Caesar which was discovered in 1863 in the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta, near Rome. The sculpture is on display in the Braccio Nuovo of the Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy. The statue is extremely famous, is in marvelous condition, and I felt privileged to stand next to the best representation of the man I consider to be the best politician in history (and take these pictures of it). Augustus Caesar was really the first of the Roman Emperors, and he set the pattern for centuries to come. He died in 14 AD at the age of 75 and a reign of 40 years, what must be some kind of a record for Rome. It is said that Augustus found Rome a city of bricks, and left it a city of marble. He also left us his name on the month of August. His adopted uncle, Julius Caesar, put his moniker on the month of July. Now THAT'S power.
The breastplate is carved in relief with numerous small figures depicting the return, thanks to the diplomacy of Augustus, of the Roman legionary eagles or aquilae lost to Parthia by Mark Antony in the 40s BC and by Crassus in 53 BC.
The figure in the center of the breastplate (seen above) according to the most common interpretation, is the subjected Parthian king returning Crassus's standard to an armored Roman. To the left and right sit mourning female figures. A figure to one side with a sheathed sword personifies the peoples in the East forced to pay tribute to Rome, and one on the other side with an unsheathed sword obviously personifies the subjected Celts. From the top, clockwise, we see:
Caelus, the sky god
Aurora and Luna
The goddess Diana
The earth goddess Ceres
Apollo, Augustus's patron
The personification of the tributary peoples
The sun god Sol
A Sphinx on each shoulder, representing the defeat of Cleopatra by Augustus
None of these interpretations are undisputed. The gods, however, probably all symbolize the continuity and logical consistency of the events - just as the sun and moon forever rise, so Roman successes are certain and divinely sanctioned. Furthermore, these successes are connected with the wearer of this breastplate, Augustus. The only active person is the Parthian king, implying that everything else is divinely desired and ordained.
Hail Caesar and the glory of Rome.