English
Ara Pacis or Altar of Peace in English, is a Roman monument of the Imperial period. It´s one of the oldest in the world because it was built from the years 13 BC to 9 BC. The altar is dedicated to the goddess of Peace because it was ordered to build by emperor Augustus after he managed to impose peace in two regions.
The legend tells that every year at the Altar of Peace, they had to sacrifice two oxes and a ram so that the goddess carried on protecting them. But not only the story of this monument is interesting but also its materials and architecture.
Made out of Carrara marble, the Ara Pacis is not very tall and has no roof. It´s made especially for the sacrifice of animals and so it has two main doors, a front one for the priest orientated to the east and another one at the back for the animals to go in, orientated to the west.
Today the Altar of Peace is covered by a building that was constructed to protect it from any impact. And although its structure isn´t complete or stable, you can appreciate the work of art of its wonderful figures cut into the marble.
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