Reply To: Propaganda Art

[Rachel Nelson]

The sculpture of Augustus of Primaporta is a prime example of art being used as propaganda. His breast plate showed his war experience while the scene depicted on it was one of diplomacy. This showed he was not just a strong ruler, but also a wise and just one. The infant god riding a dolphin showed he claimed divine blood. As for the architecture, much like the pharaohs of Egypt the emperors of Rome built beautiful temples and other structures to show the splendor of not only Rome, but of their rule. Also, the building of the colosseum as well as other leisure building served to distract citizens from the corruption of politicians and to deter them from rising up and overthrowing the government.