Head of Augustus
Plaster cast of a Roman original, possibly 1st or 2nd century. Ariccia, Italy
Museum of Classical Archaeology 614
Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD), the first Emperor, needed to show allegiance to Roman tradition while also winning respect from Rome’s Greek subjects. Portraits made during his power struggle with Marc Antony in the 30s BC adopt a vigorous image, with wind-blown hair and upward gaze that owed much to the Greek ruler tradition.
