[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.73,0:00:06.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- We're standing in the marvelous
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.11,0:00:07.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,new museum that was designed
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.59,0:00:09.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by Richard Meier to hold
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.14,0:00:10.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Ara Pacis.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.71,0:00:11.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the most important
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.66,0:00:14.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,monuments from Augustan Rome.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.18,0:00:17.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Ara Pacis means Altar of Peace.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.28,0:00:20.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augustus was the first emperor of Rome.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.84,0:00:24.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And the person who established the Pax Romana
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.56,0:00:26.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is the Roman Peace.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.46,0:00:27.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The event that prompted
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.79,0:00:29.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the building of this altar to peace,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.64,0:00:32.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,under Augustus, was Augustus'
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.61,0:00:35.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,triumphal return from military
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.11,0:00:38.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,campaigns in what is now Spain and France.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.21,0:00:39.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And when he returned, the senate
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.86,0:00:43.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,vowed to create an altar commemorating
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.06,0:00:45.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the peace that he established in the Empire.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.53,0:00:49.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And apparently on July 4th in the year 13
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.94,0:00:52.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the sacred precinct was marked out
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.38,0:00:54.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on which the altar itself would be built.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.81,0:00:56.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's really kind of wonderful
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.23,0:01:00.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because today it's July 4th, 2012.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.06,0:01:02.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Now we're talking about the Ara Pacis
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.81,0:01:05.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but of course this has been reconstructed
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.29,0:01:08.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from many, many fragments that were discovered
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.33,0:01:11.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some in the 17th century, mostly
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.71,0:01:13.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the 20th century.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.61,0:01:14.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Actually it's a small miracle that
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.98,0:01:16.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we've been able to reconstruct this at all
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.91,0:01:19.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it had been lost to memory.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.61,0:01:22.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- The remains of it lay under someone's palace
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.28,0:01:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when it was recognized what these fragments
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.08,0:01:27.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were it because really important to
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.13,0:01:29.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,excavate them and to reconstruct the altar.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.18,0:01:31.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- That was finally done under Mussolini,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.29,0:01:33.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the fascist leader in the years leading up
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.83,0:01:35.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the second world war and during the
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.48,0:01:36.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,second world war.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.73,0:01:38.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that was important to Mussolini
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.81,0:01:42.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because Mussolini identified himself with Augustus,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.21,0:01:43.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the first emperor of Rome.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.69,0:01:46.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mussolini was very much trying to reestablish
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.08,0:01:48.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a kind of Italian empire.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.36,0:01:50.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We should talk a little bit about what an altar is.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.49,0:01:52.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Sure, when we talk about the Altar
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.09,0:01:53.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really what we are looking at is the walls of
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.86,0:01:57.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the precinct around what is in the middle
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.01,0:01:59.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the Altar where sacrifices would have occurred.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.81,0:02:02.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- The Altar itself is interesting and important when
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.33,0:02:03.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we think about Augustus.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.76,0:02:06.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augustus is establishing a centralized
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.49,0:02:07.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,power.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.68,0:02:10.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rome had been since its earliest founding years
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.53,0:02:12.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when it was under the rule of kings,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.34,0:02:13.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it had been controlled by the senate.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.96,0:02:16.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It had been a republic.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.06,0:02:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- That's right. And a senate was basically
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.38,0:02:22.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a group of the leading elder citizens of Rome.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.03,0:02:24.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Rome was a republic and it really was
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.61,0:02:26.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a republic until Julius Caesar, who was
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.86,0:02:29.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the dictator and Augustus' uncle.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.76,0:02:32.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then Caesar is assassinated,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.14,0:02:34.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's civil war, and then
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.01,0:02:37.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,peace is established by Augustus.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.04,0:02:39.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Right. Augustus, whose real name was Octavian,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.76,0:02:42.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was given the term Augustus as a kind of
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.58,0:02:45.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,honorific as a way of representing his power.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.14,0:02:47.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's interesting the kind of politics that
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.61,0:02:49.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augustus involved himself with.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.64,0:02:52.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He gave great power back to the senate,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.21,0:02:55.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but by doing so he established real and central
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.24,0:02:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,authority for himself.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.16,0:03:00.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- He made himself princeps, or
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.04,0:03:02.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,first among equals. But of course,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.68,0:03:04.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he controlled everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.42,0:03:06.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- He also held the title of Pontificus Maximus,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.84,0:03:09.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is the head priest of the state religion
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.66,0:03:11.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so he held tremendous power.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.76,0:03:14.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Now don't forget too, that his uncle,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.71,0:03:17.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Julius Caesar, had been made a god,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.66,0:03:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so he also represented himself
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.98,0:03:22.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as the son of a god.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.25,0:03:26.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And so the idea of establishing this altar
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.24,0:03:29.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has a political as well as spiritual significance.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.69,0:03:32.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- He's looking back to the golden age
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.96,0:03:34.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Greece, of the 5th century B.C.,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.81,0:03:38.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he's also looking back to the Roman Republic.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.26,0:03:41.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's reestablishing some of the ancient rituals
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.19,0:03:43.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of traditional roman religion.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.61,0:03:46.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's embracing traditional Roman values.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.81,0:03:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- But even as he's doing that,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.78,0:03:50.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he's remaking Rome radically.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.84,0:03:52.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's changing Rome from a city of brick
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.86,0:03:55.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a city of marble, and the Ara Pacis
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.61,0:03:58.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a spectacular example of that.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.11,0:04:00.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And when we look closely at the Ara Pacis
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.59,0:04:02.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we're gonna see is that this
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.65,0:04:05.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,speaks to the sense of a "Golden Age" that
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.91,0:04:09.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augustus brought about in the Roman Empire.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.08,0:04:10.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- One of the most remarkable elements
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.69,0:04:14.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the Ara Pacis is all of the highly decorative
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.88,0:04:18.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,relief carving in the lower frieze.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.08,0:04:20.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And that goes all the way around
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.26,0:04:23.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it apparently shows more than 50 different
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.18,0:04:25.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,species of plants; they're very
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.74,0:04:29.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,natural in that we can identify these species
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.04,0:04:31.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they're also highly abstracted
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.09,0:04:33.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they form these beautiful, symmetrical,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.78,0:04:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and linear patterns.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.63,0:04:37.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- There is a real order that's given to the
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.85,0:04:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,complexity of nature here.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.75,0:04:41.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me just describe quickly what I'm seeing:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.80,0:04:44.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this massive, elegant acanthis leaf
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.05,0:04:45.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is a native plant,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.48,0:04:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which were made famous in Corinthian capitols.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.22,0:04:49.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And almost like a candelabra,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.98,0:04:51.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,growing up from it,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.52,0:04:53.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we see these tendrils of all kinds of plants
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.68,0:04:55.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that spiral.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.00,0:04:57.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And there're also animal forms
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.22,0:04:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,within these leaves and plants,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.32,0:05:02.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we find frogs and lizards and birds.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.52,0:05:04.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And the carving is quite deep,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.08,0:05:06.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that there's this sharp contrast between
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.05,0:05:07.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the brilliance of the external marble and
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.93,0:05:09.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then the shadows that are cast.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.64,0:05:11.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It seems to lift off the surface.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.70,0:05:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And art historians interpret all this
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.70,0:05:16.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a symbol of fertility,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.52,0:05:19.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the abundance of the Golden Age
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.18,0:05:21.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that Augustus brought about.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.07,0:05:22.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- We also see that same pattern
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.98,0:05:24.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,repeated in the plasters
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.64,0:05:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that frame these panels.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.43,0:05:28.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then we also have meander,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.38,0:05:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that moves horizontally around
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.18,0:05:31.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the entire exterior.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.88,0:05:33.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's above that meander that we see
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.93,0:05:36.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the narrative friezes.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.44,0:05:39.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- These panels relate, again, to this Golden Age
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.58,0:05:41.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that Augustus establishes.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.65,0:05:44.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These refer back to Aeneas, Rome's founder,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.02,0:05:48.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Augustus' ancestor.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.45,0:05:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We see other allegorical figures
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.60,0:05:52.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,representing Rome and peace.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.50,0:05:54.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- We have to be a little bit careful
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.37,0:05:55.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we try to characterize what
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.68,0:05:57.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,precisely is being represented.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.45,0:05:59.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are lots of conflicting interpretations.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.47,0:06:02.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And these allegorical or mythological scenes
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.33,0:06:04.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,appear on the front and back of the altar,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.73,0:06:07.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then on the sides of the altar
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.00,0:06:08.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we see a procession.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.67,0:06:10.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- We've walked around the outer wall,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.47,0:06:12.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we're now looking at
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.20,0:06:13.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a panel that's actually
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.57,0:06:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in quite good condition.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.15,0:06:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that doesn't mean
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.64,0:06:18.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we really know what's going on.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.04,0:06:19.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- No, there's a lot of argument
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.53,0:06:21.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about what the figure in the center
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.65,0:06:23.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,represents.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.02,0:06:24.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some art historians think this
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.53,0:06:26.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,figure represents Venus.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.23,0:06:29.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some think it represents the figure of peace,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.00,0:06:31.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some the figure or Tellus, or Mother Earth.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.97,0:06:34.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In any case, she is clearly
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.17,0:06:36.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a figure that suggests fertility
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.88,0:06:37.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and abundance.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.95,0:06:38.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- She's beautifully rendered;
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.92,0:06:40.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,look at the way the drapery clings
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.72,0:06:42.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to her torso so closely
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.57,0:06:45.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as to really reveal the flesh underneath,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.03,0:06:47.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the goddesses on the Parthenon
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.39,0:06:48.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the Acropolis in Greece.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.70,0:06:50.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And on her lap sit two children,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.83,0:06:52.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of whom offers her some fruit.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.43,0:06:54.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's fruit on her lap.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.08,0:06:56.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On either side of her sit two
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.89,0:06:58.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mythological figures who
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.95,0:07:00.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,art historians think represent the
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.90,0:07:02.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,winds of the Earth and the sea.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.87,0:07:04.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Well, look at the way the drapes
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.60,0:07:05.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they're holding whip up,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.87,0:07:06.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,creating these beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.98,0:07:09.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,almost halos around their bodies.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.34,0:07:10.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And at her feet,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.57,0:07:12.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we see an ox and sheep,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.27,0:07:14.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so there's a sense of harmony,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.88,0:07:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of peace and fertility.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.22,0:07:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And that must have been such
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.98,0:07:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a rare thing in the ancient world.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.02,0:07:24.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Well, Augustus reigns after decades
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.37,0:07:27.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of civil war, after the assassination
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.22,0:07:28.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Julius Caesar.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.52,0:07:30.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I think there's a powerful sense
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.78,0:07:33.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that this was the Golden Age.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.17,0:07:35.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- So let's walk to the sides now
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.88,0:07:38.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and take a look at the procession.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.20,0:07:40.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The frieze moves from the
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.50,0:07:42.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back wall of the precinct,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.30,0:07:45.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up towards the very front, on both sides.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.52,0:07:47.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the figures are also facing
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.80,0:07:50.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,towards the main staircase.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.04,0:07:52.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Art historians are not really clear what
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.10,0:07:54.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,event is being depicted here--
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.56,0:07:56.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Art historians aren't clear
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.02,0:07:57.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about any of this, are we?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.32,0:07:58.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- No. [laughter]
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.46,0:07:59.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Uh, there are a couple of
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.40,0:08:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,posibilities that have been raised.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.81,0:08:02.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One is that what we're seeing is
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.64,0:08:04.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the procession that would have taken place
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.54,0:08:07.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the time the altar was inaugurated.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.80,0:08:10.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The figures that we see here are priests,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.72,0:08:12.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we can identify those figures
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.55,0:08:14.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of the veils on their heads.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.72,0:08:16.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there also seem to be members
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.88,0:08:18.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Augustus' family,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.73,0:08:20.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,although their identities are not
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.33,0:08:22.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,quite firmly established.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.33,0:08:24.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- We think we know which figure
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.52,0:08:26.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is Augustus, although the marble
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.92,0:08:28.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,itself is not in especially
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.44,0:08:29.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,good condition, and we've lost
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.83,0:08:31.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the front of his body.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.55,0:08:33.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we also think we can identify
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.42,0:08:36.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of his most important ministers.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.30,0:08:37.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- And that would be Agrippa.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.72,0:08:39.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we think about this as looking back
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.45,0:08:41.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the frieze on the parthenon
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.48,0:08:43.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the Golden Age of Greece,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.64,0:08:46.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those figures are all ideally beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.12,0:08:48.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they don't represent anyone specific
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.55,0:08:51.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so much as the Athenian people, generally.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.57,0:08:53.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- But these are portraits.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.12,0:08:54.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- That's right, and we can't
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.48,0:08:56.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always identify them for certain,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.07,0:08:58.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they really are specific individuals
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.37,0:09:00.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on a specific date,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.83,0:09:03.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,taking part in a specific event.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.17,0:09:04.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- It's interesting to think about it
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.73,0:09:05.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of course, throughout the
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.98,0:09:07.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Republic, portraiture in stone
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.57,0:09:09.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was something the Romans
Dialogue: 0,0:09:09.00,0:09:10.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were extremely good at.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.45,0:09:11.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so it doesn't surprise
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.62,0:09:12.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,me that they would not
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.80,0:09:15.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,look to the idealized, so mush as
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.05,0:09:16.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,look to the specific.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.50,0:09:18.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- We also notice those differences
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.32,0:09:19.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the depth of the carving;
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.80,0:09:21.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some figures are represented
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.30,0:09:23.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in high relief, other figures that
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.35,0:09:25.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are supposed to be in the background
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.20,0:09:26.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are represented in low relief.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.73,0:09:28.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there's a real illusion of
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.10,0:09:29.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,space and of a crowd here
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.35,0:09:30.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the procession.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.48,0:09:32.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Another way that the specificity
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.17,0:09:33.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the Romans is expressed, is
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.70,0:09:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through the inclusion of children.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.62,0:09:37.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a sacred event,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.58,0:09:39.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a formal event,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.22,0:09:40.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and yet there are children
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.57,0:09:42.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doing what children do;
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.22,0:09:43.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is to say they're not
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.40,0:09:44.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always paying attention.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.68,0:09:46.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- There are a couple of interpretations
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.30,0:09:47.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that have been offered about
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.30,0:09:48.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the presence of children here.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.58,0:09:50.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augustus was actually worried about
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.25,0:09:51.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the birth rate and passed laws
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.78,0:09:53.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that encouraged marriage and
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.58,0:09:55.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the birth of children.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.78,0:09:57.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It originally was painted –
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.62,0:09:59.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we would have seen pinks and
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.07,0:10:00.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,blues and greens – and
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.58,0:10:02.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's very difficult to imagine that when
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.37,0:10:03.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we look at the marble today.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.92,0:10:05.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Well, it's true. Especially in
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.20,0:10:06.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meier's building which is
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.47,0:10:07.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so stark and modern,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.82,0:10:09.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's almost a little garish
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.12,0:10:11.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to imagine how brightly
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.02,0:10:12.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,painted this would have been –
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.73,0:10:14.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they were pretty bright!
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.00,0:10:15.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- They were. So one of the
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.42,0:10:16.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things that Augustus said of
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.58,0:10:18.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,himself was that he found
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.05,0:10:20.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rome a city of brick, and he left it
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.80,0:10:22.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a city of marble.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.33,0:10:25.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augustus created an imperial city,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.12,0:10:28.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and here we are 2000 years later
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.03,0:10:30.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the Rome that Augustus created.