Art in Focus: Augustus as Pontifex Maximus

Curator of Education and Academic Engagement Michelle DiMarzo talks about the plaster cast of Augustus as Pontifex Maximus, a long-term loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (L1991.28)

[@jasonkoch3182]

The pontifex Maximus was an elected position and the highest ranking elected official within the Roman Republic. The Rex and Regina Sacrorum was the highest ranking religious official. Julius Caesar was pontifex Maximus when he was assassinated. After his death, Marc Antony hastily arranged an election to get Lepidus elected to the role. Lepidus, Antony, and Octavian formed the second triumvirate, but after a battle with Sextus, the boat king and son of Pompey, to put it simply, Octavian and Lepidus had a falling out. Octavian, who was considerably more powerful at the time, banished Lepidus but allowed him to keep the title of pontifex maximus, but essentially stripped him of all power. He then assumed the title upon the death of Lepidus and the position became part of the imperial responsibilities.

[@brycesattler2301]

*swëët & thanks yäll! Namaste~*

[@patrickvernon4766]

These powerful men would love to know that in the future a beautiful happy western women would be discussing their sculptures :D

[@addom88warzone89]

Hes my ancestor , from wales .

[@jasonkoch3182]

There is no way to verify this.

[@joshjacob1530]

we mog.

[@felixiii6643]

VIVET IMPERATOR AVGVSTVS

[@maeminx]

OUAIS